ADC Vows to Fight On Despite Election Challenges, Seeks International Support

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is gearing up for its national convention on Tuesday, April 14, with party leaders reportedly resolving to overcome current internal challenges. Sources indicate a commitment from leadership to remain with the party and actively contest future elections, while also planning to bring the matter to the attention of the international community to ensure their full participation.

Insiders revealed that the party intends to escalate the situation beyond Nigeria's borders to pressure authorities. "We will escalate so that the international community will be aware. INEC can compromise, but ADC will contest the elections and Nigerians will have their say," a source within the party stated.

Multiple party sources confirmed that a collective decision has been made against defecting to other political parties, either as a group or individually. This stance is seen as crucial to maintaining an image of decisiveness and stability, avoiding potential conflicts among leaders.

Following the convention, party leaders aim to exhaust all available avenues to demonstrate that INEC was properly notified of their activities, thereby securing recognition and allowing them to prepare for elections. "ADC is not considering any other option, because that is what those that are supporting Nafiu Bala and others want. Before taking over the party our members did their due diligence and everything was okay," the source added.

The party's leadership is reportedly unconcerned about potential legal challenges, having received advice that such disputes are internal party matters that courts should not adjudicate.

In a related development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced its intention to take disciplinary action against lawyers who engage in filing lawsuits aimed at disrupting the internal affairs of political parties. This statement comes amid widespread criticism of recent court injunctions that have halted the functions of political party executives.

NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned against actions that undermine democracy, stating that lawyers involved in such practices "risk facing disciplinary proceedings." He emphasized that petitions would be filed before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against any lawyer found engaging in such conduct to deter similar actions and preserve the integrity of the judicial process.

The NBA also urged judges to remain vigilant and avoid being drawn into political disputes, stressing the importance of declining to intervene in matters where the law prohibits judicial involvement.

"When statutes limit judicial meddling in party affairs, judges must show restraint, adhere to the law, and focus on cases properly before them," the NBA statement read. The association also called upon the National Judicial Council (NJC) to establish regulations that would penalize judges who knowingly assume jurisdiction in matters clearly barred by law or grant orders that violate statutory provisions in intra-party disputes.

"The NBA will not shy away from drawing the NJC’s attention to the actions of any judicial officer found to have acted in a manner inconsistent with the judicial oath, constitutional responsibilities, and the preservation of public confidence in the courts," the NBA asserted.

Regarding Nafiu Bala, a prominent figure within the ADC, a party leader expressed concern that Bala might be acting under the influence of government agents seeking to create confusion. "There is no way we will play into the hands of agents of government that are causing confusion in the party, by leaving the party, so that they can hand over to only one man. How come no member of the former NWC is saying anything except Bala?" the leader questioned.

This leader also pointed to Bala's protest at the INEC headquarters alongside Leke Abejide, an associate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as evidence of his alleged alignment. "So when you see them working together, what does that mean? But the party is ready for them. Already, Nigerians know what is happening and why people like Nafiu Bala and Leke Abejide are trying to cause problem in the party."

Another senior party member, speaking anonymously, explained that extensive meetings led the leadership to conclude that remaining united within the ADC offered greater advantages than dispersing. "Now we have attracted the three major presidential candidate in the last elections, not only that, most of the governorship candidates of the major parties in the last elections have also pitched their tents with us, so moving away would affect the cohesion as it is bound to create fresh problems for us," the member stated.

In recent weeks, the ADC has experienced significant growth, notably with the defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), alongside several senators and members of the House of Representatives, positioning it as a major opposition force in the Senate.

The nine senators who joined the ADC include Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa), Victor Umeh (Anambra), Tony Nwoye (Anambra), Lawal Usman (Kaduna), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa), Austin Akobundu (Abia), and Ireti Kingibe (FCT). While most defections were seamless, Senator Abaribe's faced a procedural hurdle.

Former Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, who represented Kano South, also left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the ADC. Influential Zamfara politician, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, has also aligned with the ADC.

At the House of Representatives level, five members from the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have switched to the ADC. These include Afam Ogene, Peter Aniekwe, and Lilian Orogbu (Anambra), Jesse Onakalusi (Lagos), and Murphy Omoruyi (Edo).

Furthermore, a faction of the PDP, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has initiated alliance discussions with the ADC in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. Notable figures present at these discussions included Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, factional chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, Prof. Jerry Gana, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Hajiya Inna Ciroma, Gen. Ishaya Bamayi, Rt. Fred Agbedi, and Comrade Ini Ememobong.

The ADC is reportedly strengthening its presence in Kaduna State, attracting prominent politicians despite internal challenges and external pressures, positioning itself for the 2027 elections.

Key political figures have defected to the ADC in Kaduna, including Isah Ashiru, the PDP's 2023 governorship candidate, and Sani Bello, a former campaign director for the incumbent governor, who left the APC. Senators Lawal Adamu and Ibrahim Khalid have also moved from the PDP to the ADC, alongside several House of Representatives members and state assembly representatives.

The party has raised concerns about political intimidation, alleging that figures like former governor Nasir El-Rufai are being targeted.

According to ADC Publicity Secretary Darious Kura, the party's growth is driven by popular demand, stating, "It is evident that ADC is the party the masses want. The voice of the people is the voice of God." He asserted that politicians are joining the ADC because they recognize that "elections are decided by the will of the people," concluding that despite internal and external challenges, the party is gaining traction in Kaduna through increased defections and public support.

In Zamfara State, Senator Marafa's move to the ADC with his supporters has revitalized the opposition following Governor Dauda Lawal's switch to the APC. The ADC is also establishing itself as a significant opposition force in the South-South region, with secretariats and functional leadership in all six states.

Prominent regional politicians, including former Edo State Governors Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, as well as former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Ameachi, are reportedly aligning with the ADC.

The party officially launched its South-South leadership structure earlier this year, securing declarations of support from key stakeholders. The ADC has also focused on building a database of supporters through its e-registration drive, with notable engagement from younger voters.

While the ADC in the South-South has seen an influx of members from other parties, it has also experienced internal disagreements and factional disputes over the party's direction. Some state congresses were reportedly postponed due to ongoing leadership crises or in compliance with INEC directives.

In Benue State, the party is benefiting from crises in other political parties, attracting notable politicians.

A significant challenge for the ADC as it approaches its national convention is managing states that have not yet held their congresses, with some deferring the process due to internal wrangling or factional disputes, citing adherence to INEC directives.

Efforts to reach the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, for comment were unsuccessful as of last night.

Regarding the ADC's planned convention, legal experts have indicated that a political party has the right to manage its internal affairs by notifying INEC, and the electoral body's absence from monitoring does not invalidate the process.

Hamza N. Dantani Esq explained that INEC's monitoring of party conventions is discretionary, not mandatory, as the law only grants the electoral umpire the option to observe. "Consequently, failure or refusal of INEC to monitor a convention does not, in itself, invalidate the convention, provided that proper notice was given," he stated. He added that judicial precedent supports substantial compliance over technicalities in internal party matters, unless non-compliance compromises the process's integrity.

Dantani advised caution, noting that "the law requires that political parties give prior notice to INEC before conducting conventions, congresses, or primaries. The essence of this requirement is to allow INEC to monitor the process. Once such notification has been duly given, the party is deemed to have substantially complied with the law."

Ebuka Nwaeze Esq previously noted that the Electoral Act prohibits courts from issuing injunctions that restrain election processes. He argued that courts cannot grant interim injunctions on processes that produce executive committees or party candidates, as this would enable the use of courts to prevent a party's participation in elections.