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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.
Read Also: ADC Clears Air On David Mark Resigning As National Chairman
“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 explained 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 stated 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 noted that 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.
In addition to this, 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.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has debunked reports alleging that its Interim National Chairman, David Mark, has resigned from his position.
The party described the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by the National Chairman’s Media Office, the reports were dismissed as “an insidious fabrication” orchestrated by “puerile, weak and inconsiderate propagandists”.
The statement maintained that Mark remains the substantive National Chairman of the party, stressing that there is no plan or discussion regarding his resignation.
“The assertion that Senator David Mark has stepped down exists only in the warped imagination of those bent on spreading falsehood and creating confusion within our party,” the statement said.
It further noted that the party’s leadership remains united and committed to strengthening democratic principles and offering credible leadership to Nigerians.
The statement warned against attempts to destabilise the ADC, attributing such efforts to fears over the party’s rising influence and evolving political dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The ADC, its leadership, and the majority of Nigerians are unbending in their collective determination to resist any plot aimed at undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy or imposing a one-party system,” the statement added.
The party urged Nigerians to ignore the rumours and remain assured of stability in the leadership of the ADC.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to back anybody that emerges as the party’s presidential candidate.
Atiku said he would back the party’s presidential candidate even if the person is a youth.
Speaking in an interview with DW Hausa, Atiku also dismissed claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, could undermine the ADC, noting that the party has continued to attract members nationwide.
He said: “We will support and endorse whoever emerges as the flagbearer. How many are we (presidential aspirants), three or four? In the PDP, more than ten of us contested.
