The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday announced the establishment of a ‘Special Representatives Network (SRN)’ comprising envoys in 12 foreign cities, with a mandate to engage international stakeholders on the state of democratic governance in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC identified Washington D.C., London, and Brussels among the designated capitals. According to the statement, the envoys will be responsible for briefing foreign governments, legislative bodies, and media organizations on what the party described as “a growing pattern of undemocratic practices and attacks on opposition members.”
“The focus of this initiative extends beyond the interests of the African Democratic Congress,” Mr. Abdullahi stated. “It concerns the broader health of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Where domestic channels for redress are perceived as inadequate, recourse to international attention becomes necessary.”
The ADC stated that the initiative reflects concerns within opposition circles regarding alleged harassment, selective application of legal provisions, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) management of intra-party disputes. Party sources indicated that the envoys will be tasked with documenting relevant cases, engaging policymakers, and liaising with diaspora organizations and civil society groups.
Political observers have described the strategy as unprecedented in Nigeria’s political landscape, noting that opposition activities have traditionally been concentrated domestically. The selection of the 12 cities is understood to be aimed at engaging key Western policy and media centers in advance of the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had issued an official response. The Independent National Electoral Commission declined to comment on the allegations raised by the ADC.
The party disclosed that the Special Representatives Network is scheduled to commence operations in April 2026, and will subsequently release periodic “democracy watch” reports based on its findings.
