INEC directive could bar ADC from fielding candidates

The African Democratic Congress has raised the alarm that a recent directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission risks preventing it from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections, as the party’s internal leadership crisis deepens.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Monday, said the crisis stems from INEC’s decision to stop receiving correspondence from the party pending the outcome of litigation before the Federal High Court.

The party argued that the directive is self-contradictory, noting that INEC had previously monitored, documented, and formally recognised the outcome of its July 29, 2025, National Executive Committee meeting — which produced a new leadership structure with 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,” the party said, adding that the Commission’s sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court in September 2025 affirmed the legitimacy of the leadership transition and acknowledged the David Mark-led National Working Committee.

The ADC warned that INEC’s refusal to accept its correspondence directly conflicts with statutory election timelines. The Electoral Act requires parties to give 21 days’ notice before certain activities and to meet submission deadlines — including INEC’s own May 10 deadline for relevant documents.

“By refusing to receive communication from the ADC within this same period, the Commission is effectively preventing the party from complying with the law,” the statement read. “This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which can then be used to justify excluding the party from fielding candidates.”

The party also challenged INEC’s stated justification — that the April 1 decision was meant to avoid prejudicing the court proceedings — arguing that the Commission had itself undermined the judicial process by taking a step with clear legal and operational consequences.

INEC, through its National Commissioner and Information Committee Chairman Mohammed Haruna, had on April 1 announced the delisting of Mark and Aregbesola from its records, saying the action was in compliance with a court order to preserve the status quo pending final judgment.

The ADC urged the Commission to reverse its position, resume receiving the party’s correspondence, and fulfil its constitutional obligation to ensure a level playing field for all registered parties.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on April 2, Mark dismissed INEC’s action as unlawful and said party activities, including congresses, would proceed as scheduled.

The party has been mired in a leadership dispute since mid-2025, when a new NWC emerged following the expiration of former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s tenure in August 2022. While Nwosu reportedly backed the 2025 transition, his deputy, Nafiu Bala Gombe, insisted he was entitled to serve as acting chairman following Nwosu’s exit. Rival factions have since waged multiple legal battles at the Appeal and Supreme Courts, casting a shadow over the party’s readiness for 2027.