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Releases Evidence Showing Commission’s Approval of Party’s Activities
- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of plot to exclude the party from fielding candidate in the 2027 General Elections.
ADC held that the commission’s decision to stop receiving its correspondence pending a Federal High Court ruling can jeopardise its participation in the elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
While noting that the commission’s action might appear procedural, Abdulahi held that it conflicts with the timelines in the Electoral Act, 2026 which provides defined compliance windows.
This, he said, included the mandatory 21-day notice period and subsequent submission requirements within which political parties must complete critical electoral processes.
The ADC spokesperson released documented evidence of INEC’s approval of the party’s activities which include INEC records, attendance logs, and monitoring reports amongst others.
Also included in the document were evidence revealing pictures and resignation letter of the factional leader of the party, Nafiu Bala.
The document highlighted in sequence how INEC had constantly monitored the activities of the party’s leadership transition from its former leader, Ralph Nwosu, to the David Mark-led leadership.
“It is based on documentary evidence which we are now placing before the Nigerian public, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports, and excerpts from the Commission’s own sworn affidavit.
“Taken together, these documents establish a clear and consistent record of events.
INEC received formal notice of the July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC.
“It deployed officials to monitor that meeting. It documented the proceedings and received formal reports from its field officers.
“Following this, INEC updated its internal records and uploaded the names of the new leadership, including Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.” Abdullahi wrote.
In what he labelled facts contained in INEC’s own records, the ADC spokesperson further disclosed how the commission had in an affidavit responding to Bala affirmed the transition of the party’s leadership to Mark and Aregbesola.
“These are not claims. They are facts contained in INEC’s own records. In addition, the Commission’s sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court, in its response to Nafiu Bala Gombe on 12 September 2025, particularly in Clauses 14 to 19, affirms key legal principles: that the leadership transition had already been completed and recognized, that such internal party matters fall outside the scope of judicial interference, that completed acts cannot be reversed by injunction, and also recognizes the David Mark-led NWC.
“Yet, despite this clear documentary trail, INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the ADC pending the determination of a matter before the Federal High Court. This is where the contradiction becomes dangerous.” He wrote.
Abdullahi noted that INEC had fixed May 10 as the submission deadline, adding, however, that its refusal to accept ADC correspondence within that period could effectively block compliance with statutory requirements.
“This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which can justify excluding the party from fielding candidates.
“INEC has claimed that its April 1 decision was taken to avoid rendering the proceedings before the Federal High Court nugatory.
“The reality is the opposite. By intervening in a matter already before the court, the commission has undermined the very process it claims to protect,” he said.
The spokesman urged INEC to reverse its position, resume accepting lawful correspondence and uphold its constitutional duty to ensure fairness and a level playing field.
“What is even more concerning is that this position contradicts INEC’s own prior conduct and legal stance.
“The same Commission that monitored, documented, recognized, and swore to an affidavit confirming the ADC leadership is now acting in a way that contradicts its earlier position.
“We therefore call on the Commission to immediately reverse this position, resume the acceptance of all lawful correspondence from the ADC, and uphold its constitutional responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.” He wrote.
The ADC spokesperson also called on Nigerians to be wary and remain vigilant about what he labelled “dangerous machinations to subvert Nigeria’s democracy and impose a civilian dictatorship on the country.”
