The African Democratic Congress has instructed its newly elected state executives and other officers to refrain from assuming their roles ahead of a formal inauguration scheduled for May 12, 2026, in a move designed to protect the party from the legal complications arising from a series of ongoing court challenges to its recent congresses and national convention.
In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party made clear that its current leadership structures would remain the sole recognised authorities within the organisation until the transition had been formally completed and the incoming officers officially inaugurated.
“The tenure of all newly elected state executives and other party officers shall not commence until the expiration of the tenure of the current executives and their formal inauguration by the party on May 12, 2026, or on any later date that may be officially communicated. For the avoidance of doubt, all existing executives remain the duly recognised officers of the party until the completion of this constitutional transition process,” the statement read.
The party placed particular emphasis on the conduct of newly elected executives at the state level, warning them against any actions, representations, or conduct that could contradict the party’s constitutional directives or create parallel lines of authority within its structure. The move appears aimed at preventing the kind of internal power contestation that could be exploited by opponents already challenging the party’s internal processes in court.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to an orderly, rules-based transition, describing discipline and strict adherence to its constitution as non-negotiable principles guiding the handover process.
