Officials and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State have called on members to turn out en masse for the party’s congresses scheduled for Saturday, urging them not to be discouraged by the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The call follows INEC’s statement on the leadership dispute within the party, in which the commission maintained its non-recognition of the contending leaderships pending the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The ADC in Adamawa State has been grappling with internal leadership crises, which have led to a split within the party along factional lines driven by differing interests.
The latest meeting held in Yola, the state capital, is part of ongoing efforts to reconcile aggrieved members, strengthen party structures, and foster unity ahead of future elections.
Speaking during an emergency meeting convened in preparation for the congresses, the Chairman of the party’s Transition Committee in the state, Sadiq Dasin, said the ADC would resist any attempt to weaken it ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He described any move to prevent the party from participating in the elections as “a joke” that would be firmly resisted.
Dasin also faulted INEC’s directive for the party to return to the status quo, arguing that the leadership led by Senator David Mark was already in place prior to the court case in question.
Some stakeholders at the meeting, including Senator Ishaku Abbo and other aspirants, expressed concern over the lingering crisis within the party.
They also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to turn the country into a one-party state.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Dasin questioned the rationale behind INEC’s directive, insisting that the party remains committed to its internal processes.
Other stakeholders who reacted to INEC’s interpretation of the court judgement maintained that the ADC enjoys strong grassroots support and would not be deterred by what they described as attempts to undermine the party.
The stakeholders resolved to mobilise members across the state to participate in the congresses slated for this weekend.