Over 2,500 Delegates For ADC Convention Today

…ADC Lawmakers Push for Amupitan’s Removal, Kinsmen Reject Move

No fewer than 2,500 delegates are expected to participate in the national convention of the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) today, LEADERSHIP learnt yesterday.

The delegates, drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are expected to elect new leadership of the party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

A top source in the party told LEADERSHIP, “We are expecting between 2,500 and 3,000 delegates for this convention.”

The convention comes amid a back-and-forth between the ADC and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over approval of a venue for the ADC gathering.

Wike refuted claims that the ADC was denied access to Eagle Square for its convention, describing the allegations as unfounded and a ploy to gain public sympathy.

Speaking with journalists yesterday after an inspection tour of project sites, Wike challenged the affected party to provide proof of any formal application.

“Who denied them? I am not aware of any such development, and I don’t even know which party you are referring to,” Wike said.

However, an ADC chieftain, Kola Ologbondiyan, insisted that the party was denied the use of Eagle Square and the Velodrome at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja for its national convention.

Ologbondiyan, who is also the chairman of the publicity and media committee of the ADC convention, disclosed this on his X handle. He said a formal request was made to the FCT Minister’s office for a permit to use Eagle Square, but the party got no response after the letter was acknowledged.

He added that the party’s team also engaged officials of the Ministry of Sports at the MKO Stadium over the Velodrome, but “in the end, the ADC was refused the use of the Velodrome.”

Ologbondiyan further alleged that privately owned event centres in Abuja were declining the party’s requests “for fear of harassment in various forms from the government.”

Despite the setbacks, he assured that the convention would go on as planned in Abuja.

However, the ADC announced a new venue for its national convention.

In a Monday post on its official X handle, the party said the convention would take place at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja.

According to the party, the facility offers a central and accessible location for delegates and stakeholders expected from across the country.

It said: “Venue for the ADC National Convention: Rainbow Event Centre, Plot 1193A, Off Southern Parkway, Garki Area 8, Abuja.”

Meanwhile, the ADC Caucus in the House of Representatives has called for the removal from office and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.

The caucus raised concerns over Amupitan’s impartiality and neutrality to oversee free, fair, and credible 2027 general elections, following alleged recent public statements and actions by him deemed to be compromising, partisan, and conflicted.

The lawmakers reached this decision after their inaugural meeting held on Sunday to review political developments in the nation.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting in Abuja on Monday, the chairman of the ADC Caucus, Hon. Afam Ogene, said their call is based on inconsistencies and concerns regarding the impartiality and integrity of the INEC boss.

Ogene said it has been alleged that Amupitan previously made a partisan statement on his personal X account, wherein he expressed support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He added that Amupitan had also been accused of posting content alleging Christian genocide in Nigeria.

The lawmaker said although INEC denied that Amupitan owns the X account in question, digital forensic analysis and other online investigations conducted by various sources suggested the account is his and that the phone number used to create it is registered in his name.

He said this raises concerns regarding his transparency, integrity, and trustworthiness, particularly given the critical nature of the office he holds, which has far-reaching implications for the nation.

“In light of these inconsistencies and concerns regarding impartiality and integrity, the House Caucus, on Monday, 13th April 2026, hereby calls for the removal of Prof. Amupitan from office and advocates his prosecution, in order to safeguard the nation against an avoidable descent into undemocratic practices.

“The Caucus is gravely concerned about the ostensibly undemocratic actions taken by INEC under the leadership of Amupitan, which appear to deny the ADC the opportunity to participate in the forthcoming elections. This is being achieved through the perpetuation of a leadership crisis within the party, whereby INEC has abdicated its responsibility as an impartial arbiter and instead intervened in the party’s internal affairs.

“Specifically, the commission seems to be recognising an illegitimate leadership faction, contrary to the authentic leadership of Senator David Mark, which had previously been acknowledged and certified by INEC itself, having met the requisite criteria, as evidenced by a recent affidavit issued by the Commission,” he stated.

Ogene noted that the commission, in collusion with certain elements within the judiciary, is actively working to undermine the aspirations of the ADC by preventing the party from fielding candidates in the forthcoming elections through duplicitous means that obstruct inclusivity within the democratic process.

“In fact, credible information at our disposal suggests that certain individuals within the judiciary and INEC are collaborating to influence the outcome of a case coming up on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, regarding the leadership question in the ADC, potentially impacting the recognition of a discredited faction.

“In fact, Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act 2026 clearly prohibits any court of law in Nigeria from entertaining any case concerning party congresses. The section states: ‘No court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party,’” he said.

Ogene disclosed that the caucus has concluded plans to submit a petition before the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling for politically exposed judicial officers, as recently outlined by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), to undergo investigations and possible removal from the bench.

However, scores of youths in Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Monday staged a protest over what they described as a politically motivated attempt to undermine the leadership of INEC.

The demonstrators, drawn from various youth and civil society groups, marched through major streets of the community, voicing strong support for the independence of the electoral body and expressing confidence in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Enemies of Fairness, Beware!” and “Fair Elections Start with Amupitan,” the protesters insisted that recent claims and rumours circulating on social media were part of a broader agenda to discredit the electoral system.

The protest featured a large procession of youths on motorcycles and on foot, drawing attention from residents as participants chanted solidarity songs and called for the protection of democratic institutions.

Speaking during the demonstration, a youth leader identified as Segun said the group would resist any attempt to “blackmail” or weaken the electoral body.

“We are here to send a clear message: the sanctity of INEC must be preserved. Prof. Amupitan is a man of integrity and a proud son of this land. Any attempt to malign his character or remove him unjustly is an attack on democracy,” he said.

The protest comes amid ongoing national debates over the appointment of new INEC National Commissioners, with some civil society organisations and opposition voices raising concerns about alleged political affiliations of certain nominees.

However, the Kogi youths dismissed such allegations as “sponsored propaganda,” arguing that Amupitan’s professional record and legal expertise position him to strengthen the credibility of the commission and ensure transparent electoral processes.