The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced a comprehensive timetable and operational guidelines for its 2026 congresses and national convention, reinforcing its commitment to internal democracy and election readiness.
The party’s National Secretariat issued the circular on December 30, 2025, under the signature of ADC National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe. The schedule lays out key meetings, membership activities, and congress timelines to ensure a coordinated national process.
The year will officially start with a Board of Trustees meeting on January 5, 2026, followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on January 7. Agenda items for the NEC include filling vacancies in the National Working Committee, overseeing membership registration and revalidation, and preparing for ward, local government, and state-level congresses.
Membership Registration and Revalidation
ADC confirmed that membership registration and revalidation will take place from January 2 to January 15, 2026. Gombe emphasized that ward executive committee congresses will follow on January 17, with any matters arising addressed between January 19 and 22.
Congress Timetable
- Local government congresses: January 24
- State executive committee congresses: January 31
- Matters arising: February 2–5
- National Working Committee Convention: February 13–15
The circular also listed eligible delegates for state congresses, in line with Article 24 of the ADC Constitution, including local government chairmen and secretaries, youth and women leaders, state executive committee members, NEC state representatives, leaders of persons with disabilities, ex officio members, elected council officials, Board of Trustees members, zonal national officers, elected National and State Assembly members, and legal advisers.
State Congress Guidelines
State chapters are required to establish Congress Planning Committees, with a strict rule barring anyone contesting for state executive positions from serving on these committees. All prospective candidates must register with the State Congress Committee and pay a ₦2,000 intention fee, which may help fund the congresses. State Executive Committees are responsible for supervising planning committees to ensure full compliance with the rules.
Zoning and Eligibility Rules
State executive committees are directed to reflect senatorial zones where possible. The zone with the largest membership will fill six key positions, including chairman and women’s leader, while the second-largest zone fills five positions, including vice chairman and treasurer.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Minimum education: completion of secondary school
- Professional experience for positions such as state legal adviser, treasurer, and financial secretary
- State youth leader: maximum age of 25
- State women leader: reserved exclusively for women
Appeals and Reporting Procedures
- Pre-congress appeals must be resolved at least 24 hours before the congress
- Post-congress appeals must be concluded within three days
- State congress committees must submit reports to the National Secretariat within five working days via the official email
Only validly registered or revalidated members will be allowed to participate. State chapters must inform the National Secretariat of all congress dates, venues, and times to facilitate coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ADC emphasized strict adherence to these directives to ensure that congresses are conducted transparently, credibly, and in an orderly manner nationwide.
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