The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a detailed timetable and guidelines for its 2026 congresses and national convention, in a move aimed at strengthening internal democracy and preparing the party for upcoming elections.
The schedule was shared in a circular issued by the party’s National Secretariat on December 30, 2025, signed by ADC National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
According to the circular, the party year will begin with a Board of Trustees meeting on January 5, 2026, followed by a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on January 7. Key items on the NEC agenda include filling vacancies in the National Working Committee, scheduling membership registration and revalidation, and preparing for ward, local government, and state congresses.
Membership Registration and Revalidation
The party confirmed that membership registration and revalidation will run from January 2 to January 15, 2026.
“For 2026, ADC membership registration and revalidation will take place from January 2 to January 15, followed by ward executive committee congresses on January 17. Any matters arising will be addressed between January 19 and 22,” Gombe stated.
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 provided a list of approved delegates eligible to participate in 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 members from the state
- Leaders of persons with disabilities
- Ex officio members
- Elected council chairmen and deputies
- Board of Trustees members
- Zonal national officers
- Elected National and State Assembly members
- Legal advisers
Guidelines for State Congresses
State chapters are required to form Congress Planning Committees, with a strict rule that any individual contesting for state executive office cannot serve on these committees.
“All persons seeking state offices must register their intentions with the State Congress Committee and pay a ₦2,000 intention fee, which may partly fund the congresses,” the circular said.
State Executive Committees are tasked with supervising the planning committees to ensure compliance with all rules.
Zoning and Eligibility
The circular directs that state executive committees reflect senatorial zones where practicable. The zone with the highest membership will fill six key positions, including chairman and women’s leader, while the second-highest zone will fill five positions, including vice chairman and treasurer.
Eligibility for state executive positions includes:
- Minimum education: secondary school completion
- Professional experience required for positions such as state legal adviser, treasurer, and financial secretary
- State youth leader: maximum age 25
- State women leader: reserved for women only
Appeals and Reporting
- Pre-congress appeals must be resolved 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 in the congresses. State chapters are required to notify the National Secretariat of dates, venues, and times to facilitate coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ADC urged strict adherence to these guidelines to ensure transparent, credible, and orderly congresses nationwide.
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