The Temitope Ogah-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed concerns over the exit of’former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, insisting that the development will not disrupt its preparations for an upcoming national convention or its engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The NEC said it is intensifying engagement with INEC following the submission of a formal communication outlining the party’s activities and proposed convention.

It also disclosed plans to consult with the David Mark-led National Working Committee upon receipt of INEC’s response, as part of efforts to advance the process.

Speaking with The Nation on Monday, NEC spokesman, Hon. Don Norman Obinna, who also serves as the ADC Chairman in Abia State, said the situation had been exaggerated in public discourse. He maintained that the party remains focused on internal consolidation, legal compliance, and producing a credible candidate for future elections.

Obinna noted that the ADC’s political framework allows for broad participation, explaining that the emergence of multiple aspirants is a natural phase in the build-up to primaries, after which a consensus candidate would emerge to represent the party.

“The issue is not about who will be going or not going. The issue should be what are we doing in the ADC to ensure that we will feed a credible candidate into the election,” he said.

Obinna dismissed suggestions that the party’s strength was tied to individual politicians, insisting that the ADC’s coalition experience involved broader political forces beyond any single figure.

“We didn’t go into the coalition because of Obi or any particular individual. There were four political parties in the coalition we talked about today, LP, APC, PDP and the ADC. So, it’s not about one particular person,” he said.

He further argued that political exits and realignments are normal features of party politics, especially after primaries, when only one candidate emerges and others may feel dissatisfied.

“After primaries election, it’s supposed to know that the party ticket is for one individual in all the positions. So, it’s expected that after the primaries, people will be aggrieved. A lot of people will also want to leave the party,” he said.

According to him, the ADC intends to manage such internal tensions through reconciliation mechanisms after its congresses and primaries, adding that the party is already planning structured engagement to keep members united ahead of elections.

He also maintained that recent defections, including that of Peter Obi, were not driven by an internal crisis within the ADC but by individual political decisions.

“It’s because of personal interest and I want people to treat it that way,” he said.

On preparations for its national convention, Obinna disclosed that the party has already commenced formal engagement with the INEC following court pronouncements affecting its internal processes.

“We have submitted a letter to INEC today. We have submitted a judgment to INEC today. And we expect that tomorrow they will do the right thing,” he said.

He added that the party is awaiting INEC’s response before proceeding fully with its planned congresses and national convention, which he said would align with legal requirements and court directives.

“We expect to hear from INEC today and tomorrow at least one day. After that one day, we will be able to call you to tell you where we are right now,” he said.

On internal leadership consultations, he noted that formal meetings with the David Mark-led structure of the party had yet to be held, but expressed optimism that such engagements would take place once regulatory clarity is obtained.

“As you know, the court judgment gave the NEC the power to convene a convention as well as the state congresses,” he said.

Obinna insisted that the party remains focused on unity and strategic preparation rather than individual departures, adding that the ADC’s immediate priority is to resolve internal administrative and legal issues to enable a smooth transition into its convention timetable.

“The most important thing right now is for us to solve the immediate problem… to bring everybody together so that we can go to the election as one body,” he said. (The Nation)

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