The ADC faction warned that INEC’s move could prevent the party from fielding candidates

A faction in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised fresh concerns over the direction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the decision could effectively rule the party out of the upcoming elections.

Speaking on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the situation stemmed from INEC’s refusal to accept official correspondence from the party pending the outcome of the case at the Federal High Court.

The party stated, “We are compelled to raise serious concerns regarding the developing situation which appears designed to prevent the African Democratic Congress from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections. This is based on documentary evidence, which we are now presenting to the Nigerian public, including certified INEC records, attendance records, monitoring reports and excerpts from the Commission’s sworn statements. Taken together, these documents produce a clear and consistent record of events.

“INEC received official notification regarding the ADC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 29, 2025. INEC deployed officials to monitor the meeting, document the proceedings, and receive official reports from its field officers. Thereafter, INEC updated its internal records and uploaded the names of the new leadership, including Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

“This is not a claim. These are facts set out in INEC’s own records. Additionally, the Commission’s written statement before the Federal High Court, in its response to Nafiu Bala Gombe on 12 September 2025, particularly in Clauses 14 to 19, confirmed key legal principles: that the leadership transition had been completed and recognized; that the party’s internal affairs were beyond the scope of judicial intervention; that completed actions could not be reversed through court orders; and also recognized the David Mark-led NWC.

“However, despite clear documentary evidence, INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer accept any further correspondence from ADC pending the determination of the matter before the Federal High Court. This is where this contradiction becomes dangerous.”

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The party warned that the developments created a legal trap that could prevent them from fulfilling the statutory requirements for nominating candidates.

The Commission continued, “The Electoral Act sets strict deadlines for political parties, including a 21-day notification requirement and a submission deadline. INEC itself has set May 10 as the deadline for submission of relevant documents. However, by refusing to accept communications from the ADC within the same period, the Commission is effectively preventing the party from complying with the law.

“Simply put, INEC is effectively threatening that unless the court delivers a decision on the ADC leadership issue by May 10, it will bar the ADC from fielding candidates. This puts the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear path to artificial non-compliance, which can then be used to justify the party’s exclusion from fielding candidates. That’s a landmine.

“INEC claimed that its decision of April 1 was taken to avoid the annulment of proceedings at the Federal High Court. The reality is the opposite. By intervening in a matter already before the courts and issuing a statement with clear legal and operational consequences, the Commission itself has undermined the very process it claims to protect.

“What is even more concerning is that this position is at odds with INEC’s previous actions and legal stance. The same Commission that monitored, documented, acknowledged and swore on an affidavit confirming that the ADC leadership is now acting in a manner that is contrary to its previous position.”

The ADC called on INEC to change its stance, resume official relations with the party, and ensure fairness in the electoral process.

The controversy follows INEC’s April 1 decision to expunge key figures, including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, from its records, citing a court directive to maintain the status quo pending a final decision.

INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the move was necessary to comply with existing court orders.

The party has been involved in a protracted leadership struggle since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark. The dispute stems from a dispute over former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s term of office, which ends in August 2022.

Although Nwosu supported a leadership transition in 2025, his deputy, Nafiu Bala Gombe, insisted that he should assume the role of acting chairman, sparking a protracted legal and political dispute.

Despite the uncertainty, Mark insisted that party activities would proceed as planned. While speaking to journalists in Abuja on April 2, he described the INEC directive as unlawful and stressed that the congress and other internal processes would continue as scheduled.