The African Democratic Congress (ADC) concluded its national convention in Abuja on Tuesday, with delegates voting overwhelmingly to amend the party’s constitution and formally ratify a new leadership structure.
Chairman of the ADC Electoral Sub-Committee, Emeka Ihedioha, announced that 1,576 delegates were accredited, with 1,471 voting in favour of the amendment a 94 per cent approval.
“Distinguished delegates, by virtue of this result announced, it means that the constitution of the African Democratic Congress has today been duly amended by this convention that took place at the Rainbow Event Centre, Abuja,” he said.
Before the vote, Chairman of the Legal and Convention Processes Committee, Olumide Apata, led the ratification of resolutions from the party’s 97th, 98th and 99th NEC meetings.
National Organizing Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, outlined key decisions, including a waiver on membership requirements, suspension of zoning for executive positions, and removal of the rule mandating replacement of vacant offices by candidates from the same zone.
The convention also ratified the dissolution of the Chief Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee, with a new executive under David Mark taking full control of party affairs.
In his closing remarks, Mark described the convention as an “excellent performance” and declared it the start of the party’s push for power.
“Today marks the beginning of our journey to the Villa, and all of you here are part of this history. By next year, when we move to the Villa, I will remind you again,” he said.
The convention also approved the expulsion of factional chairman Nafiu Bala and lawmaker Leke Abejide, alongside several others accused of anti-party activities.
The motion for their removal was moved by Senator Binos Yaroe and seconded by Abdussamad Dasuki.
Speaking earlier, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining democracy.
“I will not end these remarks without indicting the chairman of INEC and INEC itself because it is clear, it is obvious, the evidence is there INEC is being used to scuttle democracy in this country… we are going to fight them to bring democracy in this country,” he said.
Also at the event, Peter Obi warned that Nigeria’s rising debt profile signals danger.
“The previous administration left a debt of about N87 trillion. Today, we are close to ₦200 trillion. That means they have borrowed over 130 per cent more, despite removing subsidy… we are heading to disaster,” he said.
Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, raised concerns over insecurity across parts of the country.
“I watched yesterday in Nasarawa, people were running away from their community like a civil war. The civil war image came back to my head,” he said.
ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, criticised the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, describing it as ineffective.
“The answer is simple. It is a scam… we have the duty to stop scammers from retaining power,” he said.
Despite the absence of monitoring by the electoral body, the ADC proceeded with its congresses and convention, drawing party members and stakeholders from across the country to set the tone for its 2027 ambitions.
(The Sun)
