The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has remained silent following allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the electoral body is taking steps that could prevent the party from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The development comes as the ADC youth wing issued a 72-hour ultimatum to INEC to reverse its decision not to recognise the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee (NEC), warning that failure to comply could trigger nationwide protests.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that INEC’s refusal to accept correspondence from the party pending the outcome of a case before the Federal High Court conflicts with timelines set by the Electoral Act 2026. The party argued that the commission’s position could effectively make it impossible for the ADC to meet statutory deadlines for submitting candidate-related documents.
The party said INEC had previously monitored its July 29, 2025 NEC meeting and updated its internal records to reflect the emergence of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. It described the commission’s current stance as contradictory and capable of excluding the party from the electoral process.
The ADC youth wing, through its National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, accused INEC of interfering in the party’s internal affairs and demanded the immediate restoration of the Mark-led leadership on the commission’s official portal. The group also called for the resignation or removal of the INEC chairman, warning that failure to act within three days would result in coordinated nationwide civic protests across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, the media office of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alleged a coordinated effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent him from appearing on the 2027 presidential ballot. In a statement signed by spokesman Ibrahim Umar, the office claimed the crisis within the Labour Party was deliberately orchestrated to weaken Obi politically and frustrate his presidential ambition.
The statement further alleged that legislative amendments to the Electoral Act and actions by INEC were aimed at undermining the ADC coalition platform with which Obi is associated.
Responding to the allegations, Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, dismissed the claims, insisting the ruling party had no involvement in Obi’s political challenges. He urged the former Anambra State governor and his supporters to resolve their internal party disputes instead of blaming the APC.
Separately, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, criticised INEC’s handling of the ADC leadership dispute, warning that the situation could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process and the credibility of the 2027 elections.
Rafsanjani cautioned that any action capable of excluding opposition parties from participating fully in the electoral process could deepen political tensions and weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
