The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expelled several party chieftains, including Leke Abejide and Nafiu Bala, over alleged anti-party activities.
The decision was ratified by 1,115 delegates at the party’s maiden National Convention held in Abuja.
Speaking at the convention, the party’s Interim National Chairman, David Mark, declared that the ADC would not succumb to external pressures.
“We will not surrender, we will not retreat,” he said, adding that the struggle goes beyond the party and touches on the survival of democracy.
The convention took place amid heightened tensions, as the party continues to grapple with internal leadership disputes and a standoff with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which withdrew recognition from the party’s leadership.
Also speaking, the Interim National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, accused INEC of bias and deliberate attempts to undermine the party, alleging that the commission refused to monitor the convention despite proper notification.
He insisted that the ADC had complied with all provisions of the Electoral Act and remains a legally recognised political party.
The convention was attended by several prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, among others.
Mark also alleged that there were attempts to frustrate the convention by denying the party access to venues and disrupting logistics, but noted that the challenges only strengthened internal unity.
“You have not weakened us, you have welded us together,” he said.
Addressing the broader political climate, opposition figures at the event criticised the Federal Government’s performance and called for unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi urged opposition leaders to work together, warning that the country is becoming increasingly divided, while Amaechi raised concerns about economic hardship and the use of state institutions.
Atiku also called for political change, accusing INEC of undermining democracy and pledging accountability if the ADC comes to power.
The convention, however, was not without challenges, as accreditation delays caused disruptions and left many delegates stranded for hours before gaining access to the venue.
Despite the setbacks, the party proceeded with its activities, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening its structure ahead of future elections.
