The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has recorded a massive spike in membership, crossing 500,000 new registrations following the recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delist key party leaders.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed that registrations surged from about 40,000 on April 2 to over 500,000 within just a few days.
INEC had earlier removed David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official records as the party’s national chairman and secretary, citing a court directive to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of a leadership dispute.
The electoral body also declined to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is laying claim to the party’s leadership, following conflicting legal submissions from opposing factions.
Explaining its position, INEC said it received multiple legal communications — including warnings against recognising Gombe and counter-arguments supporting his claim — forcing the commission to step back until the courts give a final ruling.
Reacting to the development, Abdullahi described the situation as a deliberate attempt to weaken democratic institutions, urging party supporters to remain active and defend democratic values.
The development has sparked increased political attention, with observers noting that the surge in membership may signal growing public interest in the ADC as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections.
