ADC Defies INEC to Schedule May Inauguration

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) will inaugurate its newly elected state executives on 12 May 2026, despite a deepening rift with electoral regulators. The party announced the date on Sunday, following a series of weekend congresses it described as a victory for internal democracy. This move signals a direct challenge to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which recently derecognised the party’s leadership following a court ruling.

National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi claimed the elections complied with the party’s constitution and the rule of law. He urged the new officials to align with the leadership of National Chairman David Mark. The party appears determined to project an image of stability and growth. However, the legitimacy of these new executives remains tethered to the party’s ongoing legal battles with the state.

The crisis stems from a court judgment that prompted INEC to withdraw its recognition of the current party hierarchy. Despite this, the ADC proceeded with its congresses across the federation on Saturday. Party chieftain Ralph Nwosu dismissed the regulator’s stance as malicious during a television appearance. He argued that the party has fulfilled all legal requirements by submitting its programme to the commission.

Nwosu insisted that INEC’s absence from the congresses does not invalidate the results. Under current electoral laws, the commission’s failure to attend an endorsed event is a matter of its own volition. The ADC intends to hold a national convention on 14 May to validate the congress outcomes and select candidates for the upcoming elections. The party leadership seems prepared to bypass the commission by appealing directly to the public through the media.

The defiance suggests the ADC is positioning itself as a “mission-driven” alternative to the status quo. Nwosu warned that the party will not allow opportunists or regulatory hurdles to derail its schedule. By fixing the inauguration date, the party is effectively daring the authorities to intervene. It remains to be seen if the courts or INEC will move to block the swearing-in ceremony next month.

For now, the ADC remains a house divided against the state. Its leadership continues to operate as if the derecognition never happened. While the party celebrates its “peaceful conduct,” the shadow of the law hangs over its future. If the courts uphold the derecognition, the May inauguration may become a purely symbolic exercise in political theatre.