The African Democratic Congress Faces Electoral Challenges
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns about a recent directive from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which could potentially prevent the party from fielding candidates in upcoming elections. The party warned that this move risks undermining its participation in the electoral process.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, stated in a Monday statement that the crisis stemmed from INEC’s decision to stop receiving correspondence from the party pending the outcome of a case before the Federal High Court. The party emphasized that it is raising serious concerns about a developing situation that appears designed to prevent the ADC from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections.
The ADC provided documentary evidence, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports, and excerpts from the commission’s own sworn affidavit. These documents establish a clear and consistent record of events. According to the party, INEC received formal notice of the July 29, 2025, National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC. It deployed officials to monitor that meeting, documented the proceedings, and received formal reports from its field officers.
Following this, INEC updated its internal records and uploaded the names of the new leadership, including Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. These are not claims but facts contained in INEC’s own records.
The party added that the commission’s sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court, in its response to Nafiu Bala Gombe on September 12, 2025, particularly in Clauses 14 to 19, affirms key legal principles: that the leadership transition had already been completed and recognized; that such internal party matters fall outside the scope of judicial interference; that completed acts cannot be reversed by injunction; and also recognizes the David Mark-led NWC.
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, Abdullahi stated.
The ADC said the situation puts it in a difficult position and opens the door to forced non-compliance that could be used to bar it from fielding candidates. The Electoral Act imposes strict timelines on political parties, including the 21-day notice requirement and submission deadlines. 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.
The party added that 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.
The ADC urged the commission to reverse its decision, resume receiving its correspondence, and uphold its constitutional duty to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
On April 1, INEC announced it had de-listed prominent African Democratic Congress figures, including Mark and Aregbesola, from its records. The commission, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Committee, Mohammed Haruna, explained that the move was in compliance with a court order directing it to preserve the status quo pending the final judgment of the trial court.
The party has been grappling with a prolonged leadership crisis since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark in July. The dispute originated from disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, which ended in August 2022.
While Nwosu was said to support the 2025 transition, his deputy, Nafiu Bala Gombe, maintained that he should assume the role of acting chairman after Nwosu’s exit. The situation escalated as rival factions struggled for control, leading to multiple legal battles at the Appeal and Supreme Courts and raising concerns about the party’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
Youths Issue 72-Hour Ultimatum
The youth wing of the ADC has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to INEC, demanding an immediate reversal of its position by recognizing Mark and Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary, respectively, or face nationwide mass civic action.
ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, who gave the ultimatum while addressing a press conference on Monday in Abuja, also accused INEC of undermining democratic processes and warned that failure to comply would trigger coordinated peaceful protests and civic mobilization across the country.
Rufa’i stated that INEC lacked constitutional authority to interpret court orders, emphasizing that such responsibility rested solely with the courts. He stated, “Nigeria is under democratic siege. What should have been a steady consolidation of 27 uninterrupted years of civil rule since 1999 is now being deliberately undermined by those entrusted to protect it.”
Gombe Youths Call for Nafiu Resignation
The ADC Youth Network in Gombe State has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Nafiu Bala, demanding that he reverse his recent statements and formally accept his alleged resignation from the party.
In a press statement on Monday, the convener of the group, Abubakar Galafi, expressed outrage over what he described as an internal “hijack of democracy,” accusing Bala of undermining the party’s unity and credibility.
Galafi noted that the crisis within the party had escalated beyond an internal disagreement, alleging that Bala’s actions constituted “a deliberate assault on the very democratic values ADC stands for.”
The group further accused Bala of disregarding legal pronouncements and party procedures, claiming he had aligned with forces working against the party’s stability. “Despite multiple legal pronouncements and party procedures, Mr Bala has willingly aligned himself with forces seeking to sabotage the credibility and unity of our party.”
A Chieftain of the ADC in Gombe State
A chieftain of the ADC in Gombe State, Mustafa Hadi Aminu, distanced the party from the actions of its former governorship candidate, Bala, insisting that he is no longer a member of the party.
Hadi, who contested for the House of Representatives in the last general election under the ADC platform, said Bala’s current claims to party leadership were baseless and self-driven. “We contested together in the last election. He was the governorship candidate, and I ran for the House of Representatives. After the election, he was nominated as Deputy National Chairman of the party.”
He explained that the crisis began during internal coalition arrangements within the party, when Bala allegedly accepted a position and later reversed his stance. “After accepting an initial position, he reneged and began laying claim to a factional chairmanship that never existed before. That is how this confusion started.”
Hadi further disclosed that Bala had been expelled from the party through due process, beginning from the local government level up to the state structure, with proper documentation and media notifications.
