Politics
INEC directive may stop us from fielding candidates, says ADC faction
A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that a recent directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could hinder its ability to present candidates in forthcoming elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the concern follows INEC’s decision to suspend acceptance of correspondence from the party pending the outcome of a case before the Federal High Court.
According to the ADC, available records show that INEC had earlier acknowledged and monitored its July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting, where new leaders emerged. The party noted that the Commission deployed officials to the meeting, documented proceedings, and updated its records to reflect the leadership, including David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The statement added that INEC’s sworn affidavit in a suit involving Nafiu Bala Gombe also affirmed that the leadership change had been concluded and recognised, stressing that such internal party matters are not subject to judicial interference.
Despite this, the ADC said INEC has now opted to stop receiving any communication from the party until the court matter is resolved, a move it described as contradictory and potentially damaging.
The party argued that the decision places it in a difficult position, particularly as electoral laws require strict timelines for submitting notices and candidate documents. It noted that with INEC fixing May 10 as the submission deadline, the refusal to accept correspondence could make compliance impossible.
The ADC warned that this situation could effectively exclude it from fielding candidates if the court does not deliver judgment before the deadline, describing the development as a “dangerous” path to forced non-compliance.
It further accused INEC of undermining the judicial process it claims to protect, stating that the Commission’s current stance contradicts its earlier actions and legal position on the party’s leadership.
The party called on INEC to reverse the directive, resume receiving its communications, and uphold its responsibility to ensure fairness in the electoral process.
On April 1, INEC announced it had removed key ADC figures, including Mark and Aregbesola, from its records in compliance with a court order to maintain the status quo pending a final ruling.
The electoral body’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the action was taken to avoid disrupting ongoing court proceedings.
The ADC has faced a prolonged leadership dispute since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark. The crisis traces back to disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, which ended in August 2022.
While Nwosu reportedly backed the 2025 transition, his deputy, Nafiu Bala, insisted he should assume leadership in an acting capacity, triggering factional divisions and multiple court cases.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on April 2, Mark maintained that party activities, including congresses, would proceed as planned, describing INEC’s action as unlawful.
The ongoing dispute continues to raise concerns about the party’s readiness for future elections.
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The media office of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has denied reports suggesting he asked former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, the Obi Media Office said the recent meeting between both politicians was part of ongoing consultations within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Typical of Obi, he accords due respect to everyone, Amaechi inclusive. The visit was intended to achieve cooperation within the party,” the statement read.
The office dismissed claims that Obi requested Amaechi to step down for him, clarifying that no such discussion took place.
“At no time during the interaction did Obi beg Amaechi to step down for him. Obi informed Amaechi that he was running for the ADC ticket and asked for his support,” Umar said.
The statement further noted that Amaechi also made his own political position clear during the engagement.
“Amaechi also told Obi that he was in the race for the party’s ticket. They agreed to work together in the interest of the party and the nation,” it added.
The clarification comes amid ongoing political consultations following the ADC national convention led by former Senate President David Mark.
Both Obi and Amaechi are among prominent figures positioning for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has criticised Nigeria’s opposition leaders following the abrupt end of their recent anti-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) protest, describing it as ineffective.
The demonstration, which reportedly lasted about three days, ended without achieving its stated objectives, prompting Adeyanju to question the opposition’s ability to sustain coordinated civic action.
The protest was led by key figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark—who is recognised as the party’s National Chairman—as well as former presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
The group had marched to the INEC headquarters over the commission’s decision to derecognise the party’s leadership amid internal disputes. INEC had cited a court ruling as the basis for its action, a move the opposition argued could affect its participation in the 2027 elections.
Reacting on Monday, Adeyanju expressed disappointment over the short duration of the protest, saying it failed to produce any meaningful outcome.
“The anti-INEC protests ended after three days without achieving anything, despite all the opposition leaders backing and funding it. These are the people that want to remove Bola Tinubu from power,” he said.
He further argued that the development reflects a decline in sustained activism and opposition engagement in the country.
“Activism and opposition in Nigeria is dead,” he added.
Adeyanju compared the recent protest to earlier movements he was involved in, including the #ResumeOrResign campaign during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which called for transparency during Buhari’s medical absence abroad.
“I remember how 14 of us shut down Nigeria under Buhari during the #ResumeOrResign movement, despite all the hired pro-government protests against us,” he said.
He also referenced a prolonged protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja over the killing of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites.
“I also organised a 109-day protest against the killing of Shiites at the Unity Fountain,” Adeyanju stated.
He concluded by criticising leading opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, for what he described as their inability to sustain long-term protest actions.
“But Atiku, Obi, Amaechi and others couldn’t sustain a protest for even one week,” he added..…Continue Reading
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting following the reopening of its national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja after months of closure.
The meeting is set to take place at the party’s headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory, according to Politics Nigeria.
The development comes days after security operatives unsealed the premises, which had been closed since late last year amid internal leadership disputes within the party.
The reopening marks a step in ongoing efforts by the PDP to restore stability after prolonged internal tensions affecting its national leadership structure.
The secretariat was initially sealed in November following a confrontation between rival factions laying claim to the party’s leadership. One faction was aligned with a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, while another was associated with a caretaker arrangement headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The dispute escalated after an Appeal Court ruling earlier this year nullified the Ibadan convention that produced the Turaki-led leadership. The judgment shifted control in favour of the Mohammed-led faction, which subsequently moved to consolidate its position through a separate convention in Abuja.
Party sources indicate that the current NEC meeting is expected to be largely attended by supporters of the Mohammed-led leadership structure.
Among those reportedly expected are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
According to insiders, the gathering is expected to focus on reconciliation efforts, internal restructuring, and preparations for future political activities.
There are also indications that the NEC may consider setting up committees to address internal grievances and explore broader reconciliation within the party..…Continue Reading
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