Over 3,000 delegates are anticipated to attend the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) national convention, which is set for April 14 in Abuja. The party is still making preparations despite having trouble securing desired locations.
In an interview with Punch, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, revealed this and accused the government of thwarting the party’s attempts to hold the event in the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome and Eagle Square.
According to Abdullahi, the party anticipated thousands of delegates from all around the nation to attend the convention.
Over 3,000 delegates are anticipated at the national conference. Therefore, more than 3,000 delegates are anticipated for the ADC national convention,” he stated.
He stated that the convention would now take place at Abuja’s Rainbow Hotel in spite of the difficulties.
“A free, fair, and credible national convention will bring together our party leaders, supporters, and members at large. On April 14, the convention would take place at the Rainbow Hotel in Abuja, he continued.
The party’s request to use Eagle Square, a location typically used by political parties for significant conventions, was allegedly disregarded by officials, according to the ADC spokesperson.
“We sent letters asking to use Eagle Square. As of right now, they have not replied to our letter. They really don’t care about us,” Abdullahi remarked.
The Peoples Democratic Party had previously held its convention in the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, he said, but the party later contacted the venue’s management after learning about a planned cycling tournament.
“They were working with us until they abruptly informed us that a cycling championship would be held at the location,” he stated.
The development, according to Abdullahi, is a part of a “assault on opposition leaders and their political parties.”
Is there a larger party than the other? Indeed, we are a political opposition party. He questioned, “But does Eagle Square belong to the APC?”
Ward, Peaceful State Congresses—ADC
Abdullahi stated in a different statement that the party held calm state and ward congresses all around the nation.
He said the practice showed the party’s dedication to internal democracy and welcomed freshly elected state executives and chairman.
“The ADC’s unwavering commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and the rule of law is reflected in these elections, which were conducted in accordance with the law and the party’s constitution,” he stated.
He said that the newly elected politicians will be sworn in on May 12, 2026, or at a later time that the National Working Committee would announce.
The Convention Committee List is released by the party.
In the meantime, in order to be ready for the national convention, the ADC has published revised lists of its convention committee and subcommittees.
Liyel Imoke, a former governor of Cross River State, was named chairman of the National Convention Central Coordination Committee, while Aminu Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, was named deputy. The revised list was signed by the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Chinedu Idigo.
Since the ADC was adopted as a coalition platform and a new National Working Committee headed by former Senate President David Mark emerged in 2025, the party has been plagued by a protracted leadership crisis.
The disagreement stemmed from former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s term and his deputy Nafiu Bala Gombe’s claims to the role of interim chairman.
Concerns regarding the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections have been raised by the crisis, which has led to numerous legal disputes.
The conflict has been exacerbated by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent removal of important ADC leaders from its official records, including Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.
