MON APRIL 06 2026-theGBJournal| The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised fresh concerns over what it describes as a calculated attempt to prevent it from fielding candidates in upcoming elections, citing what it calls compelling documentary evidence from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party said today that the materials—comprising certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports, and excerpts from the Commission’s sworn affidavit—collectively establish a consistent and verifiable account of events. It has made the documents publicly available to support its claims.
According to the ADC, INEC was duly notified of its July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and went on to deploy officials to monitor the proceedings.
The Commission reportedly documented the meeting, received field reports, and subsequently updated its internal records to reflect the emergence of new party leadership, including Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary—developments the party insists are fully captured in INEC’s own records.
The party further pointed to INEC’s sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court in response to Nafiu Bala Gombe on September 12, 2025, particularly Clauses 14 to 19, which it says affirm that the leadership transition had been concluded and recognized.
The affidavit, according to the ADC, also underscored that such internal party matters are beyond judicial interference and acknowledged the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee.
”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.”
ADC noted that the Electoral Act imposes strict timelines on political parties, including the 21-day notice requirement and submission deadlines.
ADC recalled that: ”INEC itself has fixed May 10 as the deadline for the submission of relevant documents. However, by refusing to receive communication from the ADC within this same period, the Commission is effectively preventing the Party from complying with the law.
In simple terms, INEC is effectively threatening that unless the courts deliver judgment on the ADC leadership issue by May 10, it will prevent the ADC from producing candidates.
This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which can then be used to justify excluding the Party from fielding candidates. That is the landmine.
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 and issuing a pronouncement with clear legal and operational consequences, the Commission has itself undermined the very process it claims to protect.
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.
We also call on Nigerians to be wary and remain vigilant about these dangerous machinations to subvert Nigeria’s democracy and impose a civilian dictatorship on the country.”
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