The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday declared its National Convention valid and accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing in its legal duty by refusing to attend and monitor the exercise, warning that the move could undermine confidence in the 2027 elections.

Speaking at the convention in Abuja, the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, defended the legitimacy of the exercise and rejected any suggestion that it was flawed.

The dispute centres on whether INEC ignored the law or the ADC is overstating its case, with the party insisting it followed all legal steps.

“The approval of the various committees proposed by the outgoing NWC to support the Caretaker Committee during the transition period; the swearing-in of the Caretaker Committee; and the new executives of the party were all administered the oath of office by competent authorities at that NEC,” he said.

He said the process was conducted in full view of party leaders and without objection.

Aregbesola said decisions taken at an earlier NEC meeting, including the dissolution of the former leadership, had already been communicated to INEC and recognised by the commission.

“The report of that NEC meeting was submitted to INEC by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and Alhaji Baba Abdullahi. It was on this basis that INEC recognised the new leadership and uploaded the principal officers on its electronic portal,” he said.

He maintained that the removal of the former National Working Committee (NWC) followed due process and remains binding.

“No member, I repeat, no member of the former NWC of the ADC therefore has any right or claim to any office thereafter. A dead horse cannot rise again,” Aregbesola said.

Turning to the law, he argued that INEC had a clear obligation to attend and monitor the convention once duly notified.

"The duty of attending and monitoring congresses and conventions of political parties is a mandatory one imposed on INEC by the Electoral Act… it is mandatory and not discretionary,” he said.

Aregbesola maintained that the ADC met all legal requirements, including the statutory 21-day notice and submission of relevant documents ahead of time.

“The ADC gave INEC the required 21 days’ notice through a December 2025 letter. The last one was the one I gave, which was received by INEC on the 13th of March 2026.

“As a party, we have discharged the responsibility required of us. At this point, it is the duty of INEC to discharge its own constitutionally and legally assigned responsibility,” he said.

Aregbesola described INEC’s absence as more than a procedural lapse.

“INEC’s failure to meet its lawful duty is hereby declared an abdication of responsibility and a breach of the law,” he said.

Then came the broader accusation, one that raises the political stakes beyond this single event.

“The decision of INEC to refuse to attend and monitor our convention amounts to dereliction of duty, bordering on a dangerously partisan outlook aimed at unlawfully delegitimising the otherwise legitimate actions of our party,” he added.

“There is no other legitimate ground that INEC can rely on to refuse monitoring our convention, except if INEC is on a mission to destroy the ADC and pave the way for the APC to coast to victory without any serious challenge,” he said.

Aregbesola argued that under the law, the only condition for invalidating a party’s convention is failure to notify INEC, a situation he said clearly does not apply.

“Failure of a party to notify the Commission shall render the primaries, convention, or congress invalid,” he quoted.

He also dismissed suggestions that a Court of Appeal ruling justified INEC’s position.

“I have read the order of the Court of Appeal. It did not make any reference to attending or monitoring ADC conventions,” he said.

He stressed that the ADC remains a recognised political party with nationwide structures.

“The ADC remains a registered political party. It has not been proscribed by any law in Nigeria or by any court order,” he said.

But beyond the legal arguments, he warned of wider implications for Nigeria’s democracy.

“So far, the ADC is the largest and most robust grassroots opposition political party in Nigeria, poised to defeat the APC in the next round of elections,” he said.

At one point, he turned to the crowd and delivered a rallying call:

“Are we ready or not? Are we ready or not? Are we ready or not?” he asked.

He also urged the international community to pay attention to developments in Nigeria’s political space.

“I call on the international community and our partners to take special interest in the evolving anti-democratic actions, particularly INEC’s abandonment of its role as an unbiased and neutral umpire,” he said.

He warned against any drift towards a one-party state.

“Democracy without opposition is autocracy. Opposition is the institutional conscience of the republic. No coronation. No coronation in Nigeria,” he said.

Away from the dispute, the ADC used the convention to highlight internal reforms and ongoing political activities.

These include its relocation to a new national secretariat in Abuja, a review of its constitution, and a nationwide membership mobilisation drive launched in February 2026.

The party also confirmed its participation in the November 2025 Anambra governorship election and the February 2026 FCT area council polls, acknowledging it did not win but attributing the outcomes to incumbency, monetisation, and misuse of state power, as well as internal limitations.

It added that it has been engaging with other political parties, including the PDP, SDP, and NNPP, as part of broader consultations ahead of 2027.

Ward and local government congresses were held on April 9, followed by state congresses on April 11, culminating in Tuesday’s National Convention themed ‘A Nigeria that works for freedom, security and prosperity.’

Aregbesola urged party members to remain resolute, saying: “it is time to stand up for principles, by the grace of God and with the support of the Nigerian people, we shall succeed.”

Vanguard)

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