INEC planning to stop us from fielding candidates – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over what it describes as deliberate administrative obstacles by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) aimed at preventing the party from fielding candidates in upcoming elections.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the crisis stemmed from INEC’s position that it would no longer receive correspondence from the ADC pending the outcome of a case before the Federal High Court.

While the Commission’s stance may appear procedural, the ADC argued that it directly conflicts with timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act, including the mandatory 21-day notice period and submission deadlines.

The party said documentary evidence, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports, and excerpts from the Commission’s sworn affidavit, showed that INEC had previously recognised its leadership.

According to the statement, INEC monitored the ADC’s July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, documented its proceedings, and updated its records to reflect Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

It further noted that INEC’s affidavit before the Federal High Court in response to Nafiu Bala Gombe affirmed that the leadership transition had been completed and recognised, and that such internal party matters fall outside judicial interference.

Despite this, the ADC said INEC’s current refusal to accept correspondence creates a contradiction with serious implications.

The party pointed out that with May 10, 2026 set as the deadline for submission of relevant documents, INEC’s stance effectively blocks the ADC from complying with legal requirements, unless the court delivers judgment before that date.

“This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a pathway to artificial non-compliance,” the statement said. The party said such a situation could be used to exclude the party from the electoral process.

The ADC also rejected INEC’s claim that its April 1 decision was meant to protect ongoing court proceedings, arguing instead that the Commission’s action undermines the judicial process.

Calling for an immediate reversal, the party urged INEC to resume acceptance of all lawful correspondence and ensure a level playing field.

It also appealed to Nigerians to remain vigilant against what it described as attempts to undermine the country’s democracy.