The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared its National Convention valid, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to fulfil its statutory responsibility by refusing to monitor the exercise.

Addressing party members and stakeholders at the convention in Abuja on Tuesday, the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, said the process complied with all legal requirements and due procedures.

According to the ADC chieftain,

He explained that key decisions, including leadership transition arrangements and the inauguration of new party officials, were properly carried out under the party’s constitutional framework.

“The approval of the various committees proposed by the outgoing NWC to support the Caretaker Committee during the transition period; the swearing-in of the Caretaker Committee; and the new executives of the party were all administered the oath of office by competent authorities at that NEC,” he said.

Aregbesola noted that the outcome of an earlier National Executive Committee meeting had been formally communicated to INEC and acknowledged by the commission.

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“The report of that NEC meeting was submitted to INEC by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and Alhaji Baba Abdullahi. It was on this basis that INEC recognised the new leadership and uploaded the principal officers on its electronic portal,” he said.

He maintained that the dissolution of the former National Working Committee followed due process and remains binding.

“No member, I repeat, no member of the former NWC of the ADC therefore has any right or claim to any office thereafter. A dead horse cannot rise again,” he added.

On INEC’s absence at the convention, Aregbesola argued that the commission had a legal obligation to attend and monitor such activities once duly notified.

“The duty of attending and monitoring congresses and conventions of political parties is a mandatory one imposed on INEC by the Electoral Act… it is mandatory and not discretionary,” he said.

He further stated that the party met all statutory requirements, including the mandatory notice period.

“The ADC gave INEC the required 21 days’ notice through a December 2025 letter. The last one was the one I gave, which was received by INEC on the 13th of March 2026.

“As a party, we have discharged the responsibility required of us. At this point, it is the duty of INEC to discharge its own constitutionally and legally assigned responsibility,” he said.

Describing the commission’s absence as a breach of its obligations, Aregbesola said, “INEC’s failure to meet its lawful duty is hereby declared an abdication of responsibility and a breach of the law.”

He went further to allege bias, saying, “The decision of INEC to refuse to attend and monitor our convention amounts to dereliction of duty, bordering on a dangerously partisan outlook aimed at unlawfully delegitimising the otherwise legitimate actions of our party.”

“There is no other legitimate ground that INEC can rely on to refuse monitoring our convention, except if INEC, is on a mission to destroy the ADC and pave the way for the APC to coast to victory without any serious challenge,” he added.

Aregbesola also dismissed claims that a Court of Appeal ruling justified INEC’s action.

“I have read the order of the Court of Appeal. It did not make any reference to attending or monitoring ADC conventions,” he said.

He stressed that the ADC remains a duly registered political party with nationwide structures.

“The ADC remains a registered political party. It has not been proscribed by any law in Nigeria or by any court order,” he said.

Highlighting broader democratic concerns, Aregbesola warned against actions that could weaken opposition parties.

“Democracy without opposition is autocracy. Opposition is the institutional conscience of the republic. No coronation. No coronation in Nigeria,” he said.

He also called on the international community to pay attention to political developments in Nigeria.

“I call on the international community and our partners to take special interest in the evolving anti-democratic actions, particularly INEC’s abandonment of its role as an unbiased and neutral umpire,” he said.

The convention also featured discussions on internal party reforms, including a constitutional review, relocation to a new national secretariat in Abuja, and ongoing membership mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Urging party members to remain resolute, Aregbesola said, “it is time to stand up for principles, by the grace of God and with the support of the Nigerian people, we shall succeed.”