The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said more than 3,000 delegates will attend its national convention in Abuja on 14 April, as the opposition party pushes ahead with preparations despite a dispute over venues and lingering internal divisions.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Bola Abdullahi, accused authorities of frustrating attempts to secure high-profile locations including Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium velodrome, but confirmed the convention would now hold at the Rainbow Hotel.
“We are expecting over 3,000 delegates,” Abdullahi said, describing the government’s response to venue requests as part of a broader pattern of pressure on opposition parties. “They simply ignored us,” he said of the request to use Eagle Square, adding that initial approval for the stadium velodrome was later withdrawn due to a scheduled cycling event.
Abdullahi framed the developments as an “assault on democracy”, questioning whether public venues were being reserved for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Does Eagle Square belong to the APC?” he asked. “Parties across generations have used it. How come it is now treated as the property of the ruling party?”
Despite the setbacks, the ADC said it would proceed with the convention regardless of government actions. Abdullahi added that the party had not received negative signals from security agencies but insisted it would not be distracted.
“Our leaders and members shall gather for a free, fair and credible national convention,” he said.
In a separate statement, the party said its recent ward and state congresses were conducted peacefully, describing the exercise as evidence of its commitment to internal democracy and the rule of law. It congratulated newly elected state executives and announced that their formal inauguration would take place on 12 May or a later date to be confirmed.
The ADC also released updated lists of its convention committees, with former Cross River governor Liyel Imoke named chair of the central coordination committee and former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal as deputy.
The convention comes against the backdrop of a protracted leadership crisis that has dogged the party since 2025, following its adoption as a coalition platform and the emergence of a new national working committee led by former Senate president David Mark.
The dispute, rooted in disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, has led to factional struggles and multiple legal battles, raising questions about the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tensions escalated earlier this month when the Independent National Electoral Commission removed key ADC figures, including Mark and the party’s national secretary Rauf Aregbesola, from its official records.
Mark has since accused the electoral body of taking sides and acting in contempt of court, calling for the resignation of its chairman and vowing that the party would proceed with its congresses and convention regardless of official recognition.
For the ADC, the Abuja convention is intended as a show of strength. But the combination of logistical hurdles, institutional clashes and unresolved leadership disputes underscores the challenges facing the party as it seeks to position itself as a credible alternative ahead of 2027.
