ADC vows to proceed with congresses, national convention despite INEC stance

A senior chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has declared that the party will continue with its planned congresses and national convention despite the ongoing leadership crisis and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) non-recognition of certain party leaders.

Speaking during an interview on The Morning Brief on Thursday, Nwosu emphasized that the ADC remains committed to its preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are taking the necessary action both in court and with INEC, but we will not allow INEC to derail any of our programmes. After that malicious INEC release, our chairman and the rest of us sat together and decided to move ahead,” he said.

The party has been embroiled in a leadership dispute involving rival factions, which prompted INEC to withhold recognition of certain leaders pending the outcome of ongoing litigation.

Nwosu, however, insisted that the ADC has complied with all legal requirements for its internal processes.

“We submitted our programme to INEC according to the law, and they endorsed it—all the dates were endorsed. By the electoral law, whether they show up or not is their own volition; we have not violated anything,” he stated.

He added that party congresses are already underway, and the national convention, scheduled for April 14, 2026, will proceed as planned.

“The congresses have already started. Our national convention, slated for the 14th, will also go on, where we will validate everything we’ve done. We don’t want opportunists in the ADC; we want mission-driven leaders who have the courage to challenge a bad system,” Nwosu said.

The party leader further affirmed that ADC will continue to keep INEC informed of its activities, including plans to select candidates for the next election cycle.

“If they don’t accept it, we will publish it to all Nigerian media because they represent the people,” he added, signaling the party’s determination to maintain transparency and pursue its electoral agenda despite institutional challenges.