ADC convention ratifies NEC resolutions, dissolves NWC, expels members in sweeping reforms

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday approved a broad set of decisions taken at its 97th, 98th, 99th and 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings, dissolving its National Working Committee (NWC), installing a caretaker leadership, endorsing party congresses and manifesto, and expelling members over anti-party activities.

The decisions wrap up months of internal changes between March 2025 and March 2026; loosening membership rules, suspending zoning requirements, reshaping the leadership structure, and setting a new political direction for the party, all of which had already been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

One key decision came from the 99th NEC meeting of 29 July 2025, which dissolved the Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu-led NWC with immediate effect and handed control to a caretaker committee led by David Mark for 12 months.

Party leaders said the arrangement is meant to guide the party through coalition talks and internal restructuring.

The Convention also ratified earlier steps taken at the 97th NEC meeting of 27 March 2025, where the party approved a waiver of membership requirements.

The move, which touched on Articles 9(3) and 4(4) of the party’s constitution, was designed to make the party more inclusive and is widely known as the “two-year rule”.

The resolution was communicated to INEC on 3 April 2025 and received on 4 April 2025.

Another decision came from the 98th NEC meeting of 15 May 2025, where the party suspended Article 23(4) of the ADC Constitution (2022). This removed the requirement that vacant offices must be filled by individuals from the same zone or constituency as their predecessors.

The decision was communicated to INEC on 21 May 2025 and acknowledged on 30 May 2025.

Further backing was given to resolutions from the 100th NEC meeting held on 25 March 2026. These included approval of congresses conducted at polling unit, ward, local government and state levels, as well as the election of delegates to the National Convention.

INEC was notified on 3 April 2026, with acknowledgement on 4 April 2026.

Delegates also adopted the party’s policy principles and draft manifesto, developed by a high-level committee and earlier approved by the NEC, with a clear directive that all aspirants align their campaigns with the framework.

The approvals followed a series of motions on the Convention floor. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe moved the motion to ratify the 97th, 98th and 99th NEC resolutions, while Senator Ireti Kingibe moved the motion covering the 100th NEC decisions. Both were adopted by voice vote.

In a more contentious move, the Convention approved the expulsion of several members accused of bringing the party into disrepute and creating internal divisions, after they failed to retract their actions despite being given time to do so.

Proceedings later shifted to constitutional amendments, with a presentation of proposed amendments to the party’s constitution by Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, as officials stressed the need for transparency in the voting process, including ensuring that ballot boxes were clearly visible.

Out of 2,105 expected delegates, 1,542 were accredited to take part in the Convention.

As of press time, delegates were still voting to adopt or reject the proposed amendments to the party’s laws

Taken together, the decisions amount to a full reset of the ADC, reshaping its membership rules, leadership structure, internal discipline and electoral processes, now formally endorsed by its highest decision-making body.

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