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 stated 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 pointed 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 said 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.
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.
