The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State has dismissed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise its leadership, describing the move as politically motivated and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic space.
Speaking at a rally held in Otukpo on Thursday, April 2, 2026, party leaders insisted they would proceed with their planned convention and mobilization efforts, despite what they called “interference” from the electoral umpire.
Former House of Representatives Speaker Pro-temporal, Terngu Tsegba, led the charge, accusing INEC of aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties. He argued that the ADC would not be intimidated out of the 2027 elections, stressing that the party’s growing support base reflects rising public dissatisfaction with the current administration.
Tsegba maintained that no amount of pressure would stop the party from presenting candidates in the next general elections, describing the alleged actions as an attempt to stifle political competition.
The wife of the party’s National Chairman, Chief (Mrs) Helen Onma Mark, urged members to remain resolute, assuring them that the party’s leadership was already challenging INEC’s position through legal and political means.
She encouraged supporters not to be discouraged, insisting that the party’s national leadership was actively addressing the situation at the national level.
Governorship aspirants Dr. Peter Adejo and Joseph Waya also condemned INEC’s action, alleging that it was a calculated attempt to frustrate the party’s growing influence. They described the situation as evidence that the ruling party was uneasy about the ADC’s rising popularity.
Several House of Representatives hopefuls, including Solomon Eigege, Innocent Omudu, and others, reaffirmed their commitment to mobilizing support across their constituencies, promising to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the elections.
Party stalwart Sir John Ngbede urged members to intensify grassroots engagement, emphasizing that sustained mobilization remains key to the party’s success in 2027.
Former lawmaker Samson Okwu dismissed INEC’s decision as insignificant, arguing that the move would not weaken the party but rather strengthen its resolve to challenge the status quo.
Senatorial hopeful David Olofu warned against what he described as attempts to undermine democratic processes, calling on Nigerians to resist any actions that could erode political freedom.
Delivering Senator David Mark’s message through representative Peter Ede, the party reiterated that Mark remains its recognized national chairman, while questioning INEC’s neutrality in the ongoing dispute.
The event ended with party members expressing confidence in their chances ahead of 2027, vowing to continue mobilization efforts and describing the ADC as a “moving train” determined to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.