ADC Accuses INEC Of Orchestrating "Administrative Landmines" To Block Party From 2027 Elections Amid Leadership Recognition Crisis

ADC Spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi accuses INEC of using administrative landmines to prevent the party from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 5:28 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Nigerian

A Conflict Of Timelines And Statutory Compliance

The African Democratic Congress is sounding a public alarm over what it describes as a dangerous procedural trap set by Nigeria’s electoral umpire. According to the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, INEC has stopped receiving all correspondence from the ADC, citing a pending Federal High Court case. The party argues that this administrative freeze directly contradicts the mandatory timelines established in the Electoral Act 2026. Specifically, the 21-day notice period and subsequent submission requirements for candidates are now at risk, as the party is being prevented from fulfilling its legal obligations while the clock continues to run toward the May 10 submission deadline.

Documentary Evidence Of Prior Recognition

The ADC maintains that INEC’s current stance is a reversal of its own documented actions. Mr. Abdullahi pointed to certified records and monitoring reports from July 29, 2025, which show that INEC officials attended the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. During that session, a new leadership transition was completed, featuring prominent figures such as Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. The party claims that since INEC already recognized these proceedings and updated its internal logs, the commission’s sudden refusal to communicate with this leadership is a manufactured crisis that ignores the commission’s own sworn affidavits and attendance records.

The Danger Of "Artificial Non-Compliance"

The core of the ADC’s grievance lies in the fear that INEC is creating a pathway to disqualify the party on technical grounds. By refusing to accept documentation within the statutory window, the commission can later justify excluding ADC candidates for failing to meet the May 10 deadline. Abdullahi characterized these tactics as "administrative landmines," arguing that the commission is intervening in judicial matters under the guise of protecting them. He asserted that by taking a side before the court has ruled, INEC is actually undermining the very legal process it claims it wants to keep from becoming "nugatory."