UK FCDO Defends Attendance at ADC National Convention

The UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) defended its presence at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention held in Abuja on Tuesday. A three-member delegation led by Thomas Samson, the political secretary at the British High Commission, included Nigerian staff member Damilola Oyedel.

The ADC claimed that Yu Dunhai attended the event; however, the Chinese embassy in Nigeria denied that either the ambassador or any Chinese diplomat was present. The FCDO explained that diplomatic missions regularly engage with a wide range of political and civic actors, including political parties, although they did not explicitly confirm or deny ADC's representation at the event.

The FCDO noted the UK's ongoing support for credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections in Nigeria, aiming to strengthen democratic institutions and the electoral process. The ADC is positioning itself as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections, attracting several high-profile political figures across party lines.