The African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its national convention in Abuja despite multiple setbacks. The event, which took place today, was attended by an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 delegates tasked with ratifying the National Working Committee under former Senate President David Mark. The convention proceeded even as the Supreme Court prepares to hear Mark's appeal against the Court of Appeal's March 12, 2026 ruling, which dismissed his leadership claim. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier de-recognised Mark's faction and refused to engage with his leadership or that of Nafiu Bala Gombe, who filed a suit in September 2025 to block Mark's takeover. INEC cited ongoing litigation and maintained a status quo. The party faced logistical hurdles, including being denied access to Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome. ADC spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan confirmed the event was underway, stating, "As am speaking with you, we are at the venue of the convention, putting finishing touches to the event." FCT Minister Nyesom Wike denied any denial of venue access, saying no formal application was submitted through Abuja Investments Company Limited. He added that the Velodrome falls under the National Sports Commission, not FCT jurisdiction.
David Mark's push to lead the ADC convention despite judicial and institutional resistance reveals a deeper struggle over political legitimacy in Nigeria's opposition space. The fact that the Supreme Court is yet to rule on his appeal, while INEC has already sided with the status quo, underscores how contested party structures are often battlegrounds for influence, not ideology. That Mark — a former Senate President with deep political connections — still faces such resistance suggests that authority within third-tier parties hinges less on process and more on who holds institutional favour.
The ADC's inability to secure Eagle Square or the Velodrome, contrasted with Wike's insistence on due process, points to a system where access to public spaces is administratively weaponised. While the FCT minister claims no application was formally submitted, the ADC's assertion of being ghosted after initial acknowledgment hints at informal blockages that don't appear on paper. The party's accusation of government interference, backed by protests from figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, signals growing unease among opposition actors about uneven playing fields.
Ordinary ADC members and supporters in states like Kaduna, where the party's structure is split between pro-El-Rufai and central leadership factions, bear the brunt of this disarray. Their ability to participate in party democracy is undermined by both internal power struggles and external gatekeeping. For grassroots aspirants, the message is clear: without institutional backing or judicial wins, political inclusion remains fragile.
This episode fits a broader pattern where Nigerian parties face internal fragmentation while navigating state-controlled infrastructure and regulatory ambiguity. The ADC's struggle is not unique — it mirrors challenges faced by other opposition groups trying to assert autonomy in a political ecosystem where space is tightly managed.
