The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns that actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may prevent it from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The party alleged that INEC’s refusal to accept its official correspondence could make it impossible to meet key legal requirements, including statutory notice periods and document submission deadlines ahead of the Commission’s May 10 cut-off date.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the Commission’s current position contradicts its previous recognition of the party’s leadership.
According to the party, available documentary evidence, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports, and excerpts from the Commission’s sworn affidavit, confirms that the electoral body had previously monitored, documented, and acknowledged its leadership structure.
The ADC stated that INEC was formally notified of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which the Commission reportedly attended in an official capacity.
It added that following the meeting, INEC updated its records to reflect a new leadership led by Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The party, however, expressed concern over what it described as a sudden reversal by the Commission.
“Despite this clear documentary trail, INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the ADC pending the determination of a matter before the Federal High Court. This is where the contradiction becomes dangerous,” the statement read.
The ADC further noted that the Electoral Act imposes strict timelines on political parties, including a 21-day notice requirement and other submission deadlines, while INEC has fixed May 10 as the final date for the submission of relevant documents.
The party argued that by refusing to receive its correspondence within the same period, the Commission is effectively preventing it from complying with the law.
It warned that unless the court delivers judgment on the party’s leadership dispute before the deadline, INEC’s position could stop it from presenting candidates for the election.
“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,” the party said.
The ADC described the situation as placing it in an impossible position and creating what it termed a pathway to “artificial non-compliance,” which could later be used as grounds to exclude it from the ballot.
“This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which can then be used to justify excluding the party from fielding candidates. That is the landmine,” it added.
The party called on INEC to immediately reverse its stance, resume the acceptance of all lawful correspondence from the ADC, and uphold its constitutional responsibility to provide a level playing field for all political parties.
It also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against what it described as attempts to undermine democracy and impose a civilian dictatorship on the country.
ADC Warns INEC’s Refusal to Receive Correspondence May Bar Party from 2027 Elections
