The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set to proceed with its national convention scheduled for tomorrow.
The party released updated lists of its convention committee and subcommittees yesterday ahead of the exercise, reports Daily Trust.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the update is aimed at strengthening coordination and ensuring a smooth and credible convention.
The party had earlier issued notice of its convention last month, with activities expected to begin from ward congresses through local government and state congresses before the national convention.
This was before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delisted the Senator David Mark-led caretaker committee leadership of the party, warning that it would not be available to monitor the convention.
It called on groups within the party to desist from actions that could prejudice the court’s decision, which directed the party to revert to the status quo ante bellum.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, had also stated in an interview that, due to pending cases, the commission would not receive further communications from any faction of the ADC.
He further warned the party against proceeding with its congresses and convention, noting that doing so could amount to a violation of existing court orders.
Despite this, ADC leaders have vowed to go ahead with the exercise, saying notices had already been duly served on the electoral body.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary maintained in a statement that it would proceed with its convention and congresses, describing INEC’s position as a willful distortion of the Court of Appeal’s directive.
The ADC also accused INEC of overstepping its supervisory role and attempting to halt lawful internal processes, insisting that party disputes do not suspend democratic functions, while reaffirming its resolve to proceed in full compliance with the law.
Checks by our correspondents show that the ADC has proceeded with its ward, local government, and state congresses across various states, although the processes experienced setbacks in states such as Katsina, Edo, and Abia.
It was also learnt that in Adamawa State, an initial disruption caused by a clash between two interest groups within the party was resolved, allowing the state congress to be successfully conducted.
Since the resignation of the party’s former National Working Committee (NWC) last year, former Senate President David Mark has served as national chairman, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola holds the position of national secretary.
However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who was the deputy national chairman under the previous NWC, has denied resigning alongside other members of the Ralph Nwosu-led executive.
He insisted that, according to the party’s constitution, he automatically assumes the position of national chairman following the resignation of the former chairman and other executive members.
Despite the internal disagreements, ADC leaders have remained undeterred, continuing with the inauguration of newly elected state executives and chairmen across the country.
In a separate statement, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi congratulated the newly elected officials on the successful and peaceful conduct of their state congresses, describing the process as a clear demonstration of the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and the rule of law.
The party said the elections were conducted in line with its constitution and relevant legal provisions, commending members and stakeholders for what it described as a mature, disciplined, and orderly exercise.
States where ADC congresses held
States monitored by our correspondents where congresses were held include Ondo, Borno, Gombe, Benue, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa, and Lagos. However, our correspondent in Katsina reported that the exercise was put on hold due to a court order.
In Adamawa, a 54-member newly elected state executive of the ADC was inaugurated on Sunday, with Barrister Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin elected as chairman, Shagnah Pwamadd I Maboyefe as state secretary, Moh’d Arabi Mustapha as organising secretary, and Umar Sadiq as youth leader.
In Bauchi, Shuaibu Dankama emerged as the new state chairman of the ADC.
In Ondo, a former caretaker chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Bashorun Tola Alabere, emerged as state chairman.
In Nasarawa, a former deputy governor of the state, Mr. John Michael-Abdul, emerged as the new state chairman of the ADC.
In Gombe, Kyaftain Amuga was returned as the party’s state chairman following the successful conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses.
In Benue, a former House of Representatives member, Samson Okwu, was returned as the state chairman.
In Taraba, Hassan Muhammad Adamu emerged as the state chairman through consensus.
In Kogi State, the ADC inaugurated its executives in Lokoja on Saturday, with Hon. Tom Zakari emerging as chairman.
In Borno, a former chairman of the PDP in the state, Kolo Bukar, emerged as the new state chapter chairman of the ADC.
Oyegun, Owie trade words over ADC Edo chairmanship
In Edo State, chieftains of ADC, Senator Roland Owie and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, traded words over the chairmanship of the party.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Benin City, ADC senatorial leader and member of the National Executive Council (NEC), Senator Roland Owie, alleged that Chief John Odigie-Oyegun was attempting to impose his loyalists as state party chairman despite losing the congress.
He said the chairmanship position in Edo ADC was zoned to Edo South, which was later micro-zoned to Oredo Local Government Area.
According to him, two aspirants, Dr. Mike Ehima and Tony Alile, showed interest in the position, leading to a mini-primary conducted between them.
“At the end of the exercise, Dr. Ehima polled 75 votes, while his opponent, Tony Alile, scored four votes,” he said.
Owie added that the local government congresses were generally peaceful and unanimous in several areas.
“But information reaching me indicates that Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is adopting another chairman in place of Dr. Ehima at the national headquarters in Abuja,” he alleged.
He further stated that Oyegun could not simultaneously serve as a national leader and senatorial leader of the party in the state, insisting he should choose one role.
Owie, therefore, called on the party’s NEC to caution Oyegun and restore order within the state chapter.
In his response, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun denied involvement in the congress process, saying he was not part of the officials appointed by the national headquarters to conduct the exercise.
“I am not the state congress officer appointed by the national headquarters in Abuja to oversee the congress. It is only the congress officer who can speak on that, and maybe he will speak tomorrow,” he said.
Reacting to claims by former state chairman Kelly Odion that he remained the party chairman, Oyegun said: “I don’t know where he got that from; it is between him and Abuja.”
‘FG has denied us usage of Eagle Square, National Stadium’
Ahead of its April 14 national convention, ADC alleged that it had been denied access to both Eagle Square and the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja for the conduct of the event.
The allegation was made by Kola Ologbondiyan, chairman of the media subcommittee of the party’s National Convention Committee, last night.
Speaking in response to inquiries from our correspondent on preparations for the convention, Ologbondiyan said the party had formally written to the relevant authorities requesting permission to use the venues.
“We have written to the authorities for Eagle Square; it was acknowledged. But since then, they refused to respond to us,” he said.
He added that the party also applied to use the Velodrome at the National Stadium, but was informed by the ministry that it did not have authorisation to grant approval for the facility’s use.
