The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced plans to proceed with its scheduled congresses and national convention ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite objections from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a timetable released on Friday, the party maintained that INEC’s actions against it remain illegal and would not deter its internal electoral processes.

According to the schedule, signed by National Organising Secretary Chinedu Idigo and National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, screening of aspirants is set to commence on April 7, 2026.

The party further outlined that:

Polling unit, ward, and local government congresses will hold on April 9,

State congresses are scheduled for April 11, the National Convention will take place on April 14, 2026.

The ADC added that INEC has been formally notified of the planned activities.

However, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, has cautioned the party against proceeding with the congresses and convention under the current circumstances.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Amupitan stated that the commission would not monitor any such exercise due to an existing court order relating to the party’s leadership crisis.

He warned that any action taken by the ADC before the court delivers its ruling could be deemed illegal.

According to him, the implications could be far-reaching if the party proceeds regardless.

He cited precedents in Zamfara State and Plateau State, where courts nullified election victories, leading to candidates with the second-highest votes being declared winners.

Amupitan stressed that if the ADC conducts primaries under the current legal uncertainty and its candidates eventually win elections, such victories could be invalidated by the courts.