ADC Launches Foreign Envoy Network to Challenge Federal Government Narrative

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a new diplomatic outreach strategy, appointing representatives in 12 major international cities to engage foreign governments and institutions on Nigeria’s political climate.

The initiative comes days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it would no longer recognise either faction of the ADC leadership, citing a recent appellate court ruling and an ongoing case before the Federal High Court. The commission said it would suspend participation in party activities involving both camps until the matter is resolved.

In response, the faction aligned with David Mark criticised INEC’s position, describing it as partial and damaging to public confidence in the electoral process. The group has also called for the removal of the commission’s chairman.

On Saturday, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi confirmed the creation of what the party calls a Special Representatives Network (SRN). The structure is designed to establish formal lines of communication between the party and international stakeholders, including foreign governments, legislative bodies, media organisations, and diaspora groups.

According to Abdullahi, the envoys will present briefings on Nigeria’s governance environment, focusing on electoral integrity, civil liberties, and what the party describes as increasing pressure on opposition figures. They will also promote the ADC’s policy agenda and reform proposals abroad.

The party said the move is intended to reinforce its standing as a credible democratic alternative while drawing global attention to what it characterises as a pattern of political interference since mid-2025.

Cities identified for the deployment include Washington DC, London, Brussels, Berlin, Ottawa, Paris, Pretoria, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Accra, Geneva, and New York.

Alongside the foreign engagement plan, the ADC announced a domestic documentation project to track incidents affecting political participation. State-level structures have been tasked with recording cases such as harassment, arrests, violence, and disruptions linked to political activity.

The dual strategy, the party said, is aimed at combining international advocacy with local evidence-gathering to support its claims and shape external understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape.