By ifeoma Onyekachi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of taking steps that could ultimately bar the party from participating in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said INEC’s recent actions—particularly its refusal to receive official correspondence from the party—risk undermining the ADC’s ability to fulfil critical electoral obligations.

According to Abdullahi, the development signals a troubling pattern. “We are compelled to raise serious concerns about a situation that appears calculated to prevent the ADC from fielding candidates in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

The controversy comes amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the party, which has persisted since July 2025 after an opposition coalition assumed control of its structure. The crisis intensified following a challenge by former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, who opposed the emergence of ex-Senate President David Mark as national chairman.

Tensions escalated last week when INEC announced it would no longer recognise either the Mark-led leadership or the Bala faction. The commission cited a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal and stated that it would suspend engagement with both camps pending the resolution of a related case before the Federal High Court.

However, Abdullahi argued that INEC’s current stance contradicts its earlier conduct. He noted that the commission had previously acknowledged the party’s leadership changes by monitoring its July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and updating its records accordingly.

He further warned that INEC’s refusal to accept party communications could put the ADC at odds with statutory deadlines under the Electoral Act, particularly regarding the conduct of primaries and submission of candidate lists.

“The law prescribes strict timelines for political parties,” Abdullahi said. “By declining to receive our correspondence within this period, the commission is effectively obstructing our ability to comply.”

He cautioned that the situation places the party in a difficult position, suggesting that unless the courts deliver a ruling on the leadership dispute before key deadlines, the ADC risks being excluded from the electoral process.

Describing the development as a “dangerous contradiction,” the party urged INEC to reconsider its position and ensure a level playing field for all political actors.