ABUJA – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially drawn a line in the sand, declaring that it will proceed with its nationwide congresses—from the ward level to the national convention—regardless of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to de-recognize its leadership.
In a bold move that raises the stakes in the ongoing legal battle for the party’s soul, the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) insisted on Thursday that INEC’s presence at party congresses is “not mandatory” for their validity.
The “Notice is Served” Argument
The ADC leadership, led by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that the party has already fulfilled its legal obligations by formally notifying INEC of the upcoming congress schedule. Crucially, the party revealed that these notifications were not only delivered but have been officially received and acknowledged by the commission.
“We have done our part under the law,” a party source stated. “The law requires us to notify INEC, which we have done. It does not say we must wait for their permission to exist as a political party.”
Court Order Confusion
The party is also firing back at INEC’s interpretation of recent judicial rulings. While INEC claims it is returning to a “status quo” that effectively erases the current NWC from its portal, the ADC maintains that no court order has specifically removed David Mark or his team from office.
By proceeding with the congresses, the ADC is essentially daring the electoral umpire to invalidate the will of its members. The party argues that because the court hasn’t explicitly sacked the NWC, the leadership retains the full legal authority to organize internal elections.
A Dangerous Game of Chicken?
This defiance comes at a sensitive time. With the 2027 elections appearing on the horizon, the ADC’s “full steam ahead” approach puts it on a direct collision course with a regulator that has already shown it is willing to play hardball.
If INEC refuses to monitor these congresses, the party risks having its future candidates disqualified—a scenario INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan has already warned about, citing previous “disasters” in Zamfara and Plateau.
The Political Backdrop
The ADC’s decision to bypass INEC’s “monitoring” stance adds another layer to a week of political warfare. Between Governor Bala Mohammed’s “Gestapo” allegations against the APC and the public outcry over the ₦11 billion convention spending while Jos mourns, the ADC’s rebellion is being seen as a critical test of whether opposition parties can survive institutional pressure.
For now, the ward congresses remain on the calendar, and the ADC is signaling to its followers that the party is very much open for business—with or without INEC’s blessing.
