The David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) has temporarily escaped a potentially disastrous situation following the observation of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. This development comes amidst a bitter leadership tussle within the party, with a former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, seeking to nullify Mark's leadership in court.

INEC's presence at the meeting aligns with provisions of the Electoral Act and the Commission's operational guidelines, which mandate the observation of statutory meetings of duly recognised political parties. The ADC NEC meeting was a significant event, with the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming that INEC officials were present.

The NEC approved key reports and recommendations presented by committees constituted by the party leadership, including those on policy, manifesto, and constitutional review. These reports have now been adopted by the NEC and will be forwarded to the party's National Convention for final consideration.

The party's National Convention is slated for April 14 in Abuja, preceded by ward congresses on April 7, local government congresses on April 9, and state congresses on April 11. Guidelines for the congresses and convention have already been released, with nomination forms distributed nationwide.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The observation of the ADC NEC meeting by INEC is a clear indication that the Commission is committed to upholding democratic principles in the country. However, the ongoing leadership tussle within the party raises concerns about the party's ability to present a united front in the upcoming elections. The fact that the party's National Chairman, David Mark, is facing a court challenge from a former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, highlights the need for the party to resolve its internal issues before it can effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The ADC's fortunes will be closely watched in the coming weeks, particularly in the run-up to its National Convention on April 14.