ADC Accuses INEC of Plotting to Bar Its Candidates from 2027 Elections
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has leveled serious accusations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming that the electoral body is deliberately creating obstacles to prevent the party from fielding candidates in the upcoming 2027 elections. In a strongly worded statement, the opposition party has called on INEC to immediately reverse its current position and resume accepting all lawful correspondence from the ADC, urging the commission to uphold its constitutional duty to ensure a fair and level playing field for all political entities.
Statement from ADC National Publicity Secretary
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC highlighted that at the core of this emerging crisis is INEC's declared stance that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the party pending the resolution of a matter before the Federal High Court. The party emphasized that while this may seem procedural on the surface, it actually creates a direct and perilous conflict with the strict timelines mandated by the Electoral Act of 2026. This legislation provides defined windows, including a mandatory 21-day notice period and subsequent submission requirements, within which political parties must complete critical electoral processes to remain eligible.
Documentary Evidence Presented
The ADC stated that it is compelled to raise serious concerns about a developing situation that appears intentionally designed to block the party from participating in the upcoming elections. The party has based its claims on documentary evidence, which it is now presenting to the Nigerian public. This evidence includes certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports, and excerpts from the commission's own sworn affidavit. Together, these documents establish a clear and consistent record of events that contradict INEC's recent actions.
According to the ADC, INEC received formal notice of the ADC's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025. The commission deployed officials to monitor that meeting, documented the proceedings, and received formal reports from its field officers. Following this, INEC updated its internal records and uploaded the names of the new leadership, including Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. The party stressed that these are not mere claims but facts contained in INEC's own official records.
Legal Contradictions Highlighted
Furthermore, the ADC pointed to INEC's sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court, submitted in response to Nafiu Bala Gombe on September 12, 2025. Specifically, Clauses 14 to 19 of this affidavit affirm key legal principles: that the leadership transition within the ADC had already been completed and recognized, that such internal party matters fall outside the scope of judicial interference, that completed acts cannot be reversed by injunction, and that the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) is acknowledged. Despite this clear documentary trail, INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the ADC until the court matter is resolved, a move the ADC describes as dangerously contradictory.
Impact on Electoral Timelines
The ADC warned that the Electoral Act imposes strict timelines on political parties, including the 21-day notice requirement and submission deadlines. INEC itself has set May 10 as the deadline for the submission of relevant documents. However, by refusing to receive communication from the ADC within this same period, the commission is effectively preventing the party from complying with the law. In simple terms, the ADC argues that INEC is threatening that unless the courts deliver a judgment on the ADC leadership issue by May 10, it will block the party from producing candidates.
This situation places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which could then be used to justify excluding the party from fielding candidates. The ADC labeled this as the "landmine" being set by INEC.
Call for Reversal and Vigilance
The ADC also addressed INEC's claim that its decision on April 1 was taken to avoid rendering the proceedings before the Federal High Court nugatory. The party countered that the reality is the opposite: by intervening in a matter already before the court and issuing a pronouncement with clear legal and operational consequences, the commission has itself undermined the very process it claims to protect. What is even more concerning, according to the ADC, is that this position contradicts INEC's own prior conduct and legal stance. The same commission that monitored, documented, recognized, and swore to an affidavit confirming the ADC leadership is now acting in a way that contradicts its earlier position.
Therefore, the ADC has called on INEC to immediately reverse this position, resume the acceptance of all lawful correspondence from the party, and uphold its constitutional responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all political parties. Additionally, the party urged Nigerians to remain wary and vigilant about what it describes as dangerous machinations to subvert Nigeria's democracy and impose a civilian dictatorship on the country.
