THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of orchestrating a strategy to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning of a potential move toward a one-party system.
The party also called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Amupitan Joash, citing alleged bias and misconduct.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, criticised INEC’s recent decision to delist key members of the party’s leadership, including himself and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.
INEC had stated that its action was based on a court directive to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute.
The ADC has been grappling with internal leadership conflicts since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark.
The crisis originated from disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu and has since escalated into multiple legal battles, with rival factions contesting control of the party.
Mark argued that recent developments reflect a broader pattern of attacks on democratic freedoms, alleging that the ultimate goal is to ensure that Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the sole viable candidate in 2027.
He maintained that worsening economic hardship and insecurity in the country have eroded public confidence in the current administration, making electoral manipulation more likely.
He further explained that the party’s current leadership emerged from a National Executive Committee meeting held in July 2025, which was monitored by INEC officials.
According to him, the resolutions from that meeting including the appointment of a caretaker leadership were formally communicated to the commission and initially recognised.
However, the situation became more complicated after a former deputy national chairman, Nafiu Bala, challenged the leadership structure in court despite having earlier resigned.
Mark noted that while the case is still ongoing, the Court of Appeal had instructed all parties to maintain the existing situation before the dispute.
He accused INEC of misinterpreting this directive, arguing that the commission’s actions have effectively left the party without recognised leadership.
According to him, rather than seeking clarification from the court, INEC acted in a way that suggests partisanship and undermines its neutrality.
Describing the commission’s conduct as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy, Mark insisted that INEC no longer commands the confidence of the ADC.
He warned that its actions could disrupt the party’s participation in upcoming elections in Osun and Ekiti states, as well as its scheduled congresses and national convention in April 2026.
The ADC leadership maintained that it would proceed with its activities regardless of INEC’s position, stressing that the law does not mandate the commission’s presence for internal party processes.
