Trending 
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged a calculated attempt to impose a one-party system ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to weaken opposition forces.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, ADC National Chairman David Mark criticised INEC’s recent decision to delist key members of the party’s leadership, including himself and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.
The commission, through National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, had said that the move followed a court directive to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of an ongoing case.
However, Mark rejected this explanation, arguing that INEC had misinterpreted the legal directive. He described the commission’s action as partisan and accused it of attempting to undermine democratic freedoms.
According to him, “the agenda is very clear: to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people,” despite what he described as worsening hardship and insecurity.
The ADC has been grappling with a leadership crisis since 2025, following disputes over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu and the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark. The internal conflict has led to multiple court cases, further complicating the party’s organisational stability ahead of the elections.
Providing context, Mark said that a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, and monitored by INEC officials, ratified a caretaker leadership, which was subsequently communicated to the commission. He insisted that INEC’s earlier recognition of this leadership contradicts its current position.
He also referenced the legal dispute involving former party official Nafiu Bala, noting that Bala had approached the court months after resigning, despite INEC already being aware of the leadership transition. Mark argued that INEC’s reliance on the “status quo ante bellum” directive was flawed, stating that “there is no legal interpretation or precedent that could possibly lead to the outcome that INEC seeks to foist on our party.”
Escalating his criticism, Mark accused INEC of acting in contempt of court and called for the removal of its chairman, Amupitan Joash, along with other national commissioners. He warned that the commission’s actions could compromise the credibility of upcoming elections, including governorship polls in Osun and Ekiti states.
Despite the dispute, Mark maintained that the ADC would proceed with its scheduled congresses and national convention in April 2026, insisting that there is no legal requirement for INEC’s presence for such internal party processes.
