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By Amah<\/p>\n
Kindly share:<\/p>\n
Nigeria\u2019s electoral space is once again under tension as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) warns that a recent directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could effectively shut it out of the 2027 elections, raising serious concerns about fairness, legality, and the integrity of the democratic process.<\/p>\n
The controversy stems from INEC\u2019s decision to halt all official correspondence with the ADC pending the outcome of an ongoing case before the Federal High Court. While the Commission maintains that the move is intended to preserve the status quo in line with a court order, the ADC argues that the decision creates a dangerous contradiction that could deny it the ability to meet critical electoral requirements.<\/p>\n
At the heart of the crisis is a lingering leadership dispute within the party, one that dates back to the expiration of the tenure of former national chairman Ralph Nwosu in August 2022. Although a transition process in July 2025 produced a new National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, the emergence of this leadership was contested by a rival faction headed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who insists he should have taken over in an acting capacity. The dispute has since spiraled into multiple legal battles, further complicating the party\u2019s internal cohesion and external standing.<\/p>\n
What makes the current situation particularly contentious is the ADC\u2019s claim that INEC had previously recognised and validated the same leadership it now appears to sideline.<\/p>\n
According to the party, the Commission received formal notice of its July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting, deployed officials to monitor proceedings, documented outcomes, and updated its internal records to reflect the new leadership structure. Beyond administrative actions, the ADC points to INEC\u2019s sworn affidavit before the court, which reportedly affirmed that the leadership transition had been completed, that internal party matters fall outside the scope of judicial interference, and that such completed actions cannot be reversed by injunction.<\/p>\n
Despite this documented trail, INEC\u2019s recent refusal to engage with the party has introduced a new layer of uncertainty with potentially far-reaching consequences.<\/p>\n
Under Nigeria\u2019s Electoral Act, political parties are bound by strict timelines, including mandatory notice periods and submission deadlines for candidate-related processes. With INEC already fixing May 10 as a key deadline, the ADC argues that being denied the ability to submit correspondence effectively traps it in a state of forced non-compliance.<\/p>\n
In practical terms, the party fears that unless the court delivers judgment before that date, it could be excluded from fielding candidates, not due to any legal infraction, but because of an administrative blockade.<\/p>\n
The ADC has described this scenario as a \u201cmanufactured pathway to exclusion,\u201d warning that it undermines both the letter and spirit of the law. The party insists that INEC\u2019s position not only contradicts its earlier conduct but also interferes with a matter already before the court, thereby raising questions about institutional consistency and neutrality. It argues that rather than protecting judicial proceedings, the Commission\u2019s directive risks distorting them by introducing consequences that could preempt the court\u2019s eventual ruling.<\/p>\n
INEC, through its National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, has defended its action as a necessary step to comply with a court order directing it to maintain the status quo pending final judgment. However, critics argue that the interpretation and implementation of that order could have unintended consequences for electoral participation, particularly for opposition parties navigating internal disputes.<\/p>\n
As the legal and administrative drama unfolds, the stakes extend beyond the ADC itself. The situation raises broader concerns about the balance between judicial processes and electoral timelines, the extent of INEC\u2019s discretionary powers, and the assurance of a level playing field for all political actors. With memories of past electoral controversies still fresh, any perception of institutional bias or procedural inconsistency could erode public confidence in the system.<\/p>\n
For now, the ADC is urging INEC to reverse its directive and resume official engagement, warning that failure to do so could set a troubling precedent for Nigeria\u2019s democracy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, David Mark has signaled defiance, insisting that party activities, including congresses, will continue as scheduled, even as the courts remain the ultimate arbiter of the leadership dispute.<\/p>\n
As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, the unfolding clash between regulatory authority and party survival may well become a defining test of the country\u2019s democratic resilience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Amah Kindly share: Nigeria\u2019s electoral space is once again under tension as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) warns that…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1570],"class_list":["post-9507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-bolaji-abdullahi"],"yoast_head":"\n