The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that a directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could prevent the party from fielding candidates in forthcoming elections, raising concerns about its ability to participate fully in the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the situation arose after INEC stopped receiving correspondence from the party pending the outcome of a case before the Federal High Court.
According to Abdullahi, the commission’s decision contradicts its earlier actions and creates a situation that could force the party into non-compliance with electoral regulations.
“We are compelled to raise serious concerns about a developing situation that appears designed to prevent the African Democratic Congress from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections,” the statement said.
The party said documentary evidence, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports and excerpts from the commission’s sworn affidavit in court, showed that INEC had previously acknowledged the party’s leadership transition.
It stated that the commission received formal notice of the ADC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, deployed officials to monitor the proceedings and subsequently updated its internal records to reflect the emergence of a new leadership.
According to the party, the records recognised former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary.
“These are not claims but facts contained in INEC’s own records,” the statement added.
The ADC also referenced an affidavit filed by INEC before the Federal High Court on September 12, 2025, in response to a suit by Nafiu Bala Gombe. It said the document affirmed that the leadership transition had already been completed and recognised, and that such internal party matters fall outside the scope of judicial interference.
However, the party expressed concern that INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer accept any correspondence from the ADC until the court resolves the leadership dispute.
The ADC said the development puts it in a difficult position, especially as the Electoral Act imposes strict timelines on political parties for submitting notices and documents related to electoral activities.
It noted that INEC has fixed May 10 as the deadline for the submission of relevant documents by political parties.
“By refusing to receive communication from the ADC within the same period, the commission is effectively preventing the party from complying with the law,” the party said.
The ADC argued that unless the court delivers judgment on the leadership dispute before the deadline, the party could be excluded from fielding candidates, describing the situation as a “clear pathway to artificial non-compliance”.
It also faulted INEC’s explanation that its April 1 decision was intended to avoid undermining ongoing court proceedings, insisting that the commission’s action has instead complicated the matter.
The party therefore called on INEC to reverse the directive and resume receiving its correspondence to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
INEC had earlier announced on April 1 that it had removed the names of several ADC officials, including Mark and Aregbesola, from its records.
The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the step was taken in compliance with a court order directing INEC to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the case before the trial court.
The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership dispute since 2025 following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark.
The crisis stems from disagreements over the tenure of the party’s former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, whose term reportedly ended in August 2022.
While Nwosu was said to have supported the 2025 leadership transition, his deputy, Nafiu Bala Gombe, insisted that he should take over as acting chairman after Nwosu’s exit.
The disagreement has triggered multiple legal battles, including cases at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, raising concerns about the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.
Despite the controversy, Mark told journalists at a press briefing in Abuja on April 2 that party activities, including congresses, would proceed as scheduled, describing INEC’s action as unlawful.