INEC move could shut ADC out of 2027 poll — Party

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

Abuja, April 6, 2026 (NAN) African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to stop receiving its correspondence pending a Federal High Court ruling can jeopardise its participation in the 2027 elections.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, said that INEC sits at the centre of the emerging crisis.

Abdullahi said that the commission’s action might appear procedural but added that in reality, it conflicts with the timelines in the Electoral Act, 2026 which provides defined compliance windows.

This, he said, included the mandatory 21-day notice period and subsequent submission requirements within which political parties must complete critical electoral processes.

“This has revealed the deliberate administrative landmines being deployed by INEC to prevent the party from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections.

“We are compelled to raise serious concerns about a developing situation that appears designed to prevent the ADC from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections.

“It is based on documentary evidence which we are now placing before the Nigerian public, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports and excerpts from the commission’s own sworn affidavit.

“Taken together, these documents establish a clear and consistent record of events,” Abdullahi said.

He further stated that INEC monitored its July 29, 2025 NEC meeting, documented proceedings, updated records and recognised the new leadership, including Sen. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

“These are not claims. They are facts contained in INEC’s own records.

“That the leadership transition had already been completed and recognised, that such internal party matters fall outside judicial interference and completed acts can not be reversed by injunction.

“Yet, in spite of this clear documentary trail, INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the ADC.

“This is where the contradiction becomes dangerous,” he added.

Abdullahi noted that INEC had fixed May 10 as the submission deadline, adding, however, that its refusal to accept ADC correspondence within that period could effectively block compliance with statutory requirements.

“This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which can justify excluding the party from fielding candidates.

“INEC has claimed that its April 1 decision was taken to avoid rendering the proceedings before the Federal High Court nugatory.

“The reality is the opposite. By intervening in a matter already before the court, the commission has undermined the very process it claims to protect,” he said.

The spokesman urged INEC to reverse its position, resume accepting lawful correspondence and uphold its constitutional duty to ensure fairness and a level playing field.(NAN)

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