Heavy security presence marked the national convention of the African Democratic Congress in Abuja, as the party moved ahead with its gathering despite internal disputes.
Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, were deployed in and around the Rainbow Event Centre, conducting strict checks on delegates and journalists before granting access.
About 7,000 delegates were expected at the convention to elect members of the party’s National Working Committee for the next four years.
The development comes amid a lingering leadership crisis within the party, with factions laying claim to its control, prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission to suspend recognition of its leadership pending the outcome of court processes.
Speaking at the venue, Senator Dino Melaye insisted the convention would proceed despite alleged attempts to frustrate it.
“Yesterday, there were deliberate efforts to stop us from holding this convention. All the venues we applied for were not approved,” he said.
He added, “As at 11 p.m. last night, the owners of this venue attempted to cancel the programme, but we stood our ground and we will proceed.”
Also speaking, a member of the party’s New Media Committee, Kabiru Saje, said preparations had been concluded after initial setbacks.
“Despite attempts to stop the programme and challenges with securing a venue, we have made the necessary arrangements and the convention will go on as planned,” he said.
Saje added that the exercise would either produce new leadership or reaffirm the current structure, expressing confidence in the party’s direction.
“The atmosphere is positive, delegates are arriving, and everything is set for a successful convention,” he stated.