ADC slams INEC for ‘violating court order, acting under pressure to undermine opposition’ ahead of 2027

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of violating a directive of the Court of Appeal and acting in a partisan manner in the ongoing leadership dispute within the party, warning that such actions threaten the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegations on Thursday while speaking on ARISE Television’s Morning Show, where he criticised the electoral body for what he described as interference in the internal affairs of the party and disregard for established legal processes.

Abdullahi alleged that INEC had succumbed to political pressure and intimidation, claiming that the commission’s recent decisions indicated bias against opposition parties.

“Today, INEC has been bamboozled. INEC has been intimidated. INEC has succumbed to intimidation and they are determined to coronate President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

The controversy follows INEC’s decision to remove the names of former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC from its official portal.

INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, explained that the move was based on a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit filed by a factional National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala.

The suit challenges the legality of Mark’s leadership of the party.

However, Abdullahi insisted that Bala no longer has the legal standing to act on behalf of the party, arguing that he had earlier resigned from his position and that the executive committee he belonged to had already been dissolved.

According to him, Bala resigned as one of the six deputy national chairmen of the party on May 17, 2025, and INEC was formally notified of the development on August 12, 2025.

He further explained that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had subsequently taken a binding decision regarding the leadership structure.

“At the time the coalition joined ADC, Nafiu Gombe had resigned his position as one of the six deputy chairmen of the party on May 17, and INEC was duly notified. On August 12, 2025, INEC received notice of this resignation,” Abdullahi said.

He also noted that on July 29, 2025, the ADC held a NEC meeting in Abuja, which was attended by INEC officials, during which the party resolved to hand over leadership to David Mark.

Abdullahi explained that Bala only approached the court on September 2, meaning the status quo referenced in the Appeal Court ruling should reflect the outcome of the NEC meeting.

“The Appeal Court’s decision to return to status quo would refer to the NEC decision of July 29,” he said.

The ADC spokesman argued that by recognising actions taken by Bala despite his alleged resignation, INEC was effectively taking sides in the dispute and interfering in the party’s internal affairs.

“As of July 17, he was no longer an official of the party, and INEC knew this. So recognising his actions means that INEC is taking a side,” Abdullahi said.

He maintained that leadership matters within political parties are internal issues that should be resolved by party organs rather than external authorities.

“It is a settled matter in court that the issue of leadership is wholly an internal affair of political parties, and the NEC is the next most senior organ of the party after the convention,” he added.

Abdullahi further accused the commission of violating the directive of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo, describing the move as unlawful.

“What INEC has done effectively is to violate the directive of the appeal court, and that is criminal. If you are talking about contempt, that is what INEC has done,” he said.

He also alleged that the situation was part of a broader attempt by the ruling party to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The most important point today is that all this is part of an orchestration by the ruling party to destabilise the opposition. It is very clear what is going on,” Abdullahi stated.

According to him, INEC’s conduct raises serious concerns about the credibility of future elections.

“We don’t trust INEC. INEC has shown its hand that it is biased. Nigeria’s 2027 elections are under threat if institutions meant to be neutral begin to act in a partisan manner,” he said.

Despite the dispute, Abdullahi said the ADC would continue its internal processes and party activities.

“We have given INEC 21 days’ notice. They have accepted the notice. Whether they come to monitor our congresses or not, we will continue with our convention,” he said.

INEC had earlier announced that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the ADC pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

However, the opposition party insists that the commission’s actions amount to interference in its internal affairs and a breach of the Appeal Court’s directive to maintain the status quo.