Amid the crisis, the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, has announced plans to conduct its national convention scheduled for April 14, as it mobilises over 3000 delegates.
In a statement,signed and posted on X,The National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi,said ward and state Congresses have been conducted successfully,while congratulating the newly elected state executives and chairmen.
He noted that the newly elected state executives will be inaugurated on May 12, 2026, or on a later date. Mr Bolaji added that over 3000 delegates are expected to attend the upcoming convention.
“The number of delegates expected for the national convention is more than 3,000. So, we are expecting over 3,000 delegates for the ADC national convention,” he said
He lamented the efforts made by the ruling APC to thwart the event.
“We submitted letters requesting the use of Eagle Square. They have not responded to our letter till this moment. They simply ignore us”, he lamented
“So, we reached out to the management of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Velodrome, where the Peoples Democratic Party held their national convention. They were cooperating with us until suddenly they told us that there is a cycling championship that is going to happen at the venue”, he added
He described the attempt as an assault on the opposition by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).“So, that is the situation we have found ourselves in. It is part of the agenda. It is part of the assault on opposition leaders and their political parties.” They are not giving us permission to use Eagle Square. Is one party bigger than the other party? Yes, we are an opposition political party. But does Eagle Square belong to the APC?” he said
Mr Bolaji vowed that the ADC would continue its activities irrespective of any actions taken by the government.“Parties across generations have used Eagle Square. How come it is during President Bola Tinubu that Eagle Square becomes a property of the ruling party, APC?” he questioned.
ADC UPDATES CONVENTION COMMITTEE LIST.
The ADC had on Sunday released updated lists of its convention committee and subcommittees as part of preparations for its national convention, as it moves to challenge INEC’s stance of not recognising any faction.
The national convention Central Coordination Committee includes former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, as chairman and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, as deputy.
Other members of the planning committee include Atiku, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, his Kaduna counterpart, Nasir el-Rufai, and former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa.
CRISIS ROCKING THE ADC.
Following the adoption of ADC as a coalition platform aimed at unseating the ruling party, crises have erupted with two factional chairmen each declaring himself as the legal chairman of the party.
The crisis is rooted in disputes that followed the resignation of the party’s former chairman, Ralph Nwosu, after his tenure ended in 2022. While Nwosu wholeheartedly backed the 2025 transition, his deputy, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has insisted that he should assume the role of acting chairman after Nwosu’s exit.
The disagreement later escalated into factional struggles for control, leading to multiple legal battles at both the Appeal and Supreme Courts, raising concerns about the party’s move to defeat the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.
The crisis reached its peak when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on April 1, 2026, removed the names of the party’s prominent figures, including the factional Chairman Senator David Mark, and the National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, from its official record ahead of the party’s ward, state, local government congresses and national convention.
This move sparked condemnations and allegations by both the ADC, right groups and analysts of interference by the ruling APC using INEC as a tool of suppression. Senator David Mark, the factional Chairman whose name was removed, led a peaceful protest in Abuja calling for the resignation of the INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan.
However, Nafiu Bala Gombe also held a protest where he urged INEC to recognise him as the legal and rightful leader of the ADC.
In a viral interview on BBC Hausa, Nafiu Bala, who has been accused of working for the ruling APC, has accused the David Mark faction of attempting to destabilise the party after they destroyed their previous parties.
FRESH CRISIS AT THE STATE LEVEL
Amidst the crisis rocking the ADC at the top, more conflicts have emerged, creating factions at the state level, stirring concerns about the party’s readiness to cling to power in 2027.
In Adamawa State, the crisis involves influential stakeholders, including Babachir Lawal, Aisha Binani, Ishaku Abbo, Jibrilla Bindow, and Shehu Yohanna.
Despite separate court orders instructing the party to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of ongoing legal suits, Sadiq Ibrahim was elected as the ADC state chairman on Saturday.
In Ebonyi State, two factional chairmen have emerged from parallel congresses. While one faction elected Silas Onu as chairman, the other elected Mrs Jennifer Nwafor.
Similarly, in Plateau State, members of the ADC held parallel state congresses on Saturday, producing two chairmen in the state. One of the camps elected Hanatu Gagara as its leader after conducting its congress at Adewusi House, Murtala Mohammed Way, Jos, while the other camp, headed by former minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, elected Samuel Gyang as its state chairman.
The Ogun chapter also produced two factional chairmen after conducting its congresses on Saturday; one faction produced Femi Soluade as its leader, while the other produced Emmanuel Famojuro as its chairman.
SUPREME COURT SET TO DELIVER RULING ON TUESDAY.
The Supreme Court will hear the appeal filed by the embattled ADC National Chairman, David Mark, on Tuesday. David Mark, a former Senate President, is seeking an order to stay the execution of the March 12 appellate court judgment affecting the leadership of the ADC. A hearing notice in Appeal No: SC/CV/180/2026, between Mark and Nafiu-Bala Gombe and four others, has been fixed for April 14 for the proceeding. As the 2027 elections approach, momentum has gathered around a formidable candidate capable of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the weakening of the once-powerful People’s Democratic Party PDP as an opposition party. However, the current crises at both national and state levels, according to analysts, would provide a level playing field for the ruling APC to hold onto power in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
