We may not be able to field candidates in 2027 - ADC tackles INEC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday alleged plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent its members from participating in next year’s elections.

National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the electoral commission is hatching a plot designed to stop the party from fielding candidates for the polls.

Echoing him, former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu dismissed insinuations of a protracted leadership crisis, saying ADC structures remain intact despite intra-party conflicts.

Rejecting INEC’s withdrawal of recognition of the Interim National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and the National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s youth wing unveiled plans for a nationwide protest.

It issued a 72-hour ultimatum to INEC to recognise the interim leadership or face civil action.

But the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) rose in defence of the electoral agency, describing criticisms of its position on the ADC as unwarranted and misleading.

Its Executive Director, Blessing Akinlosotu, told reporters in Abuja that INEC’s actions in the dispute were firmly rooted in law and in compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026.

Acknowledging that the ADC crisis is an internal matter, he said the commission merely acted as a regulator implementing a judicial directive.

Last week, arising from a Court of Appeal judgment, INEC withdrew its recognition of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC.