The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its decision to proceed with its planned congresses and national convention despite an ongoing leadership crisis threatening to fracture the party.

Founder of the party, Ralph Nwosu, said the ADC would not suspend its internal electoral processes, insisting that all necessary preparations have been concluded in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

Nwosu’s declaration comes amid a dispute involving multiple factions within the party, as well as a standoff with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has declined to recognise any of the contending leadership groups pending the resolution of a court case.

According to Nwosu, the party has already commenced its congresses across various levels and will proceed with its national convention as scheduled. He maintained that ADC had duly notified INEC of its activities and would not allow internal disagreements or external pressures to derail its timeline.

The crisis within the party intensified following leadership disagreements after Nwosu stepped down as national chairman, a move that led to the emergence of rival factions laying claim to the party’s leadership.

One faction is linked to former Senate President David Mark, while another is led by Nafiu Bala, both asserting legitimacy. The internal wrangling has since escalated into a legal battle, prompting INEC to withhold recognition of any faction until the judiciary delivers a final ruling.

Despite the uncertainty, Nwosu stressed that the party remains focused on strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections. He noted that the outcome of the congresses and convention would be made public, even if the electoral body refuses to monitor the exercise.

Political observers warn that the prolonged crisis could weaken the ADC’s growing profile as a coalition platform for opposition figures. However, party leaders remain optimistic that the situation will be resolved in time to position the ADC as a strong contender in the next electoral cycle.

As the leadership dispute lingers, the party’s insistence on moving forward underscores a broader struggle for control and legitimacy within one of Nigeria’s emerging opposition platforms.