ADC GOES AHEAD WITH CONGRESSES

April 9, 2026 • Dons Eze • 2 min read

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State chapter has announced its plan on proceeding with its scheduled ward, local government and state congresses despite ongoing litigations at the national level.

Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the State Chairman of the party, Ambassador Leader Sampson said they have been given the mandate to proceed with the Congress.

He explained that the decision follows directives from the party’s national leadership led by David Mark.

According to him, the Rivers State chapter remains united, with no faction within its structure, and is fully prepared to conduct the congresses across the state.

“We are acting on the directive of our national leadership, and we have the mandate to proceed with our congresses,” he said.

Party executives from the state and various local government areas gathered at the party secretariat for final preparations ahead of the exercise, which is expected to take place across more than 6,000 units.

The chairman maintained that the party has complied with all legal and procedural requirements, including notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within the stipulated timeframe.

He also dismissed concerns over the ongoing litigations, insisting that the party is operating within the law.

“There is no division within the ADC in Rivers State; we remain united at all levels. We are all united under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and Sen. David Mark,” he added.

On the party’s absence in the recent by-election in Rivers State, the ADC chairman accused INEC of deliberately excluding the party from participating in the process.

“That was a deliberate attempt by INEC to exclude us from the democratic process,” he said.

He further alleged that the electoral body is interfering in the internal affairs of the party, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

“We cannot allow INEC to undermine or disrupt democracy in Nigeria,” he stated.

The ward and local government congresses are scheduled for April 9, while the state congress is expected to hold on April 11.

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.