Rivers State ADC Defies National Legal Battles to Launch Internal Party Congresses

ADC Chairman Leader Sampson confirms Rivers State congresses will proceed on April 9 despite national legal disputes and accusations of INEC interference.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 9:49 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from LEADERSHIP

The Push for Internal Party Elections

The African Democratic Congress in Rivers State has officially initiated its schedule for ward, local government, and state congresses, according to statements made in Port Harcourt. State Chairman Leader Sampson confirmed that the mobilization of all party structures is complete, following specific directives from the national leadership under David Mark. This move serves as a local consolidation of power even as the broader political organization faces legal challenges and protests in other regions of the country.

Legal Compliance and Electoral Oversight

Party leadership emphasizes that all statutory requirements have been fulfilled to ensure the legitimacy of the upcoming exercises. According to Sampson, the Independent National Electoral Commission received timely notification regarding the congresses, which are slated to cover over six thousand units across the state. By adhering to these procedural benchmarks, the Rivers chapter seeks to insulate its internal elections from the litigations currently impacting the party at the national level.

Claims of Unity Amidst National Turmoil

Despite reports of factions and legal friction elsewhere, the Rivers state executive asserts that the local branch remains entirely cohesive. Sampson dismissed any suggestions of internal division, stating that the local membership is united under the combined guidance of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and David Mark. This public display of solidarity is intended to reassure the electorate that the party remains a functional and organized entity within the complex political landscape of the region.