Tuesday, April 7, 2026 -The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of plotting to stop the party from participating in the 2027 elections.
The allegation was made in a statement issued on Monday by
the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
According to Bolaji, the party is worried about what it
described as a developing situation that could prevent the ADC from fielding
candidates in the upcoming elections.
“We are compelled to raise serious concerns about a
developing situation that appears designed to prevent the African Democratic
Congress (ADC) from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections,” the
statement said.
He explained that the party’s claims are backed by
documentary evidence, including certified INEC records, attendance logs,
monitoring reports, and excerpts from the commission’s own affidavit.
He stated that the documents show that INEC was formally
notified of the ADC National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held on July 29,
2025, and that officials of the commission were present to monitor the meeting
and document its proceedings.
He added that after the meeting, INEC reportedly updated its
internal records and uploaded the names of the party’s new leadership,
including Senator David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State
Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary.
“These are not claims. They are facts contained in INEC’s
own records,” Abdullahi said.
He further noted that in an affidavit filed before the
court, INEC maintained that internal party affairs are beyond judicial
interference and that completed actions cannot be reversed through an
injunction.
However, he also disclosed that the commission has now taken
a contradictory position by stating that it will no longer receive any
correspondence from the ADC until a pending case before the Federal High Court
regarding the party’s leadership is resolved.
According to him, this decision could make it impossible for
the party to comply with electoral requirements.
He explained that the Electoral Act requires political
parties to give a 21-day notice and meet other submission deadlines, noting
that INEC has already fixed May 10 as the deadline for submitting relevant
documents.
In addition to this, he warned that by refusing to accept
correspondence from the party within that same period, the commission is
effectively blocking the ADC from meeting the legal requirements.
“In simple terms, INEC is effectively threatening that
unless the courts deliver judgment on the ADC leadership issue by May 10, it
will prevent the ADC from producing candidates,” he said.
He described the situation as placing the party in an
“impossible position” and creating a pathway for what he called “artificial
non-compliance” that could later be used as a basis to exclude the ADC from
participating in the elections.
The party, therefore, called on INEC to immediately reverse
its decision, resume accepting correspondence from the ADC, and ensure a level
playing field for all political parties ahead of the elections.
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