The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced it will use a consensus model to elect its national and state executives during its upcoming series of congresses and national convention. The directive, issued by the party’s National Chairman, Nafi’u Gombe, and the Secretary of its Board of Trustees (BOT), Rufus Ikanmi, aims to promote internal unity and cohesion ahead of the 2026 electoral cycle.
According to a party statement, the BOT and National Working Committee (NWC) resolved to adopt the consensus approach in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 (as Amended). The leadership believes this method will foster greater cooperation and collective leadership, strengthening the party’s capacity to meet its objectives. The decision also signals a strategic effort to manage potential internal friction by pre-empting contested elections at the ward, local government, state, and national levels.
A detailed timetable has been released for the exercise. Ward congresses are scheduled for March 19, 2026, followed by local government congresses on March 24. State congresses will hold on March 28, culminating in a national convention from April 3 to April 5. The party stated that designated windows between these events will address any arising issues, with final resolutions from the national convention expected by April 10.
Separately, the ADC opened a new member registration drive from March 14 to March 25, 2026. The exercise is strictly for new members, who must register at their ward offices and obtain cards from the Continuous Membership Registration Committee (CMRC). Existing members are not required to renew at this time.
In a key clarification, the ADC leadership disassociated itself from an ongoing electronic membership mobilization being conducted by unspecified coalition members. The party emphasized that its constitution mandates specific, localized procedures for membership applications and urged the public to disregard any unofficial registration drives. It assured that a formal, official online registration portal will be launched in due course, with announcements to be made through the party’s authenticated channels.
The adoption of a consensus model is a significant procedural step for the ADC, a registered opposition party in Nigeria. By mandating uncontested selections, the party seeks to present a unified front for future elections, though the approach may also limit grassroots participatory democracy within its structure. The success of this strategy will depend on the perceived fairness of the consensus negotiations among various internal groups. The upcoming congresses and convention will test the party’s ability to manage this process without deepening existing factions.
