The African Democratic Congress has confirmed that over 3,000 delegates will attend its national convention on Monday in Abuja, with the party pressing ahead despite what it described as a deliberate government effort to frustrate its preparations.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the convention will hold at Rainbow Hotel, Abuja, after authorities failed to respond to the party’s request to use Eagle Square and later blocked access to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome — a venue recently used by the Peoples Democratic Party for its own convention.
“They are not giving us permission to use Eagle Square. Does Eagle Square belong to the APC? How come it is during President Bola Tinubu that Eagle Square becomes a property of the ruling party?” Abdullahi said, describing the actions as part of a broader assault on opposition parties.
The party also released updated lists of its convention committees and subcommittees, with former Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke and former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal named as chairman and deputy chairman of the Central Coordination Committee respectively. The ADC said the update was aimed at ensuring a smooth and credible convention.
Separately, Abdullahi announced that the inauguration of newly elected state executives — whose congresses were held peacefully — would take place on May 12, 2026, or at a later date to be communicated by the National Working Committee.
The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark in July 2025. The dispute — rooted in a disagreement over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu — has triggered multiple court battles at the Appeal and Supreme Courts.
The crisis deepened on April 1, when INEC removed Mark and former National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola from its official records, following an appellate court judgment. Mark condemned the move as contempt of court and called for the resignation of INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan, vowing the party would proceed with its convention regardless.
