ADC adopts policy reports ahead of convention
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approved a timetable for its congresses and adopted key policy and constitutional reports, as the party positions itself ahead of its national convention. This
- By Dele Anofi, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approved a timetable for its congresses and adopted key policy and constitutional reports, as the party positions itself ahead of its national convention.
This followed deliberations at the 2nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja, where the National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, urged party members to remain united and focused amid internal and national challenges.
Mark said the meeting came at a critical moment in the life of the party and the nation, adding that Nigerians were yearning for purposeful leadership, equity, justice, and a government that truly serves the people.
He told party leaders that their responsibility “is not just political, it is moral and historic,” and called for unity within the party ranks.
“As leaders of this great movement, we must rise above personal interests and remain united in our resolve to build a strong, disciplined, and people-oriented party,” he said.
He stressed that unity within the party was non-negotiable, urging members to “Close ranks, deepen consultation, and reinforce confidence in our leadership and processes.”
The ADC chairman also raised concerns over the country’s security situation, saying, “Nigeria is now bedeviled by unabating insecurity, kidnapping and violence of immense proportion. Unfortunately, these ills are now the new normal."
Criticizing the ruling party, the party chairman said, “The ruling APC has shown incompetence. They have shown that they are incapable of arresting the situation.”
He urged ADC to seize the occasion, adding that the party was prepared “to do things differently and make Nigeria a better and safer society.”
In his remarks, the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the NEC meeting was brief but productive, with full attendance by members and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“It was a very short meeting, and it was a very simple meeting. Some key decisions were reached,” he said.
Abdullahi disclosed that the NEC accepted the report of the Policy and Manifesto Committee and the report of the Constitutional Review Committee, both of which will be presented at the national convention.
“One of the key conclusions of the NEC meeting is to accept the report of the Committee on Policy and Manifesto… and the report of the Constitutional Review Committee,” he said.
He also announced the schedule for the party’s congresses, saying, “Polling Unit and the Ward Congresses will come up on the 7th. The Local Government Congresses will come up on the 9th. The State Congresses will come up on the 11th, and the National Convention on the 14th."
According to him, guidelines for the congresses have been released and nomination forms distributed nationwide, allowing members seeking party positions to participate.
Abdullahi clarified that the national convention would not involve elections: “Yes, the National Convention is for the purpose of ratifying any decisions that have been taken. It's not an elective convention per se. It's not to elect new officers of the party, and it's not primaries,” he said.
He added that party officers at various levels would emerge through the congresses, while the convention would ratify decisions of the NEC and the National Working Committee (NWC), including the Mark-led leadership.
