In a dramatic show of defiance, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday successfully concluded its national convention in Abuja despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refusing to monitor the exercise.

Delegates at the convention overwhelmingly voted to amend the party’s constitution, ratify its manifesto, and affirm the leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The event, which drew over 3,000 delegates, proceeded amid an ongoing leadership crisis and a court-related dispute that prompted INEC to withhold recognition of the David Mark-led faction.

Party leaders, including National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, described INEC’s absence as a dereliction of duty and an unlawful attempt to delegitimise the opposition party. Aregbesola insisted the convention was valid, stating that the ADC had fulfilled all legal requirements by giving the required 21-day notice.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other prominent opposition figures present at the convention accused INEC of bias and working to undermine democracy in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

They vowed that the ADC would not be intimidated and would continue to build a strong coalition for the 2027 polls.

The development has sent ripples across the political landscape, raising fresh questions about INEC’s neutrality and the future of opposition unity as Nigeria prepares for the next general elections.

The party is expected to announce further strategic moves, including plans for an opposition summit. Legal experts and stakeholders have maintained that INEC lacks the power to unilaterally determine party leadership, and the matter may eventually be resolved in court.

Peter Obi has defended his record of moving between political parties, saying he leaves when a party abandons principles and begins to run on transactions and personal interests.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate spoke on Arise TV on Monday, where he addressed why he has switched parties numerous times.Obi said his first switch, from APGA to the PDP, was driven by a dispute with his successor as Anambra governor.

He said that he chose to leave rather than allow the conflict to damage governance in the state.

“I moved from APGA to the PDP because of issues with my successor.

Rather than allow it to become destructive to governance, I moved out,” he said.

He said that the PDP offered no better environment, describing the party as one where members ignored rules and reduced politics to a game of favours.

“People were not playing by the rules. It was transactional. I cannot be part of a transactional system,” Obi said.

He also pointed to internal crises and legal disputes within the Labour Party as factors that eroded its viability as a platform.

Obi is currently working with opposition figures linked to the African Democratic Congress as part of efforts to build a unified front ahead of future elections.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, said it has gotten a new venue for its national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja on Tuesday, April 14.

The ADC, in a tweet on its X handle, said the national convention will take place at the Rainbow event center in Abuja.

The party said that the event center will provide a central, accessible, and fitting venue for delegates and stakeholders expected from across the country.