Amid the controversy surrounding recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has insisted on proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention.

Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC National Publicity Secretary, announced this on Thursday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, citing the party’s current leadership struggle.

Abdullahi stated that the party had already given INEC the required 21-day notice for its operations and that the commission acknowledged receipt of the notice.

He maintained that the ADC would not halt its internal processes regardless of INEC’s position, stressing that the party remains committed to carrying out its congresses and convention as scheduled.

The spokesman also expressed concern over what he described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy, warning against attempts to limit political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His remarks follow INEC’s decision to remove the identities of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary from its official website.

The electoral authority has also announced that it will not accept Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the court.

He said, “If we’re in a military regime, we can understand it. We are finding ourselves in a situation where everything is being done to ensure that the election in 2027 is a fait accompli and that the Nigerians will be left with no option or no choice.

We’ve seen how this has ended in the past.

“So we are saying that we will go ahead with our congresses. We have given INEC 21 days’ notice. They have accepted the notice.

“So whether they come or not, we’ll continue with our congresses; we’ll continue with our convention.

“We are all Nigerians. We can see what is going on. We can see our democracy unravelling before our very eyes.” (The Sun, excluding headline)