The David Mark led African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared it will go ahead with its scheduled congresses and national convention, defying the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to suspend recognition of the party’s leadership.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, insisted that the it has fulfilled all legal requirements, having formally notified the electoral body of its planned events.
“We will go ahead with our congresses. We have given INEC 21 days’ notice, they have accepted. Whether they come or not, we will continue with our congresses and our convention,” Abdullahi said during an interview on Arise TV.
His remarks come just days after INEC announced it would withhold recognition of the ADC’s leadership pending the outcome of a court case related to an internal dispute within the party.
The standoff sets the stage for a potential clash between the electoral commission and the opposition party, raising fresh questions about party governance, internal democracy, and the legal limits of INEC’s oversight powers in Nigeria.