The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern that a recent directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could hinder the party from fielding candidates in upcoming elections.
The party said the situation followed INEC’s decision to suspend acceptance of correspondence from the ADC pending the outcome of a leadership dispute currently before the Federal High Court.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that the development could create conditions that may ultimately exclude the party from participating in the electoral process.
According to Abdullahi, the commission’s position contradicts earlier actions which, he said, indicated recognition of the party’s current leadership.
He explained that INEC had received formal notification of the ADC National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, and had deployed officials to monitor the proceedings.
The party noted that following the meeting, the commission documented the outcome and updated its internal records to reflect the emergence of a new leadership, including former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The ADC added that the commission had also acknowledged the leadership change in a sworn affidavit filed before the Federal High Court in response to a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe in September 2025.
According to the party, the affidavit affirmed that the leadership transition had been completed and recognised, and that internal party affairs should not ordinarily be subject to judicial interference.
However, Abdullahi said the commission has now taken the position that it will not receive any correspondence from the party until the court concludes the case.
The ADC warned that the directive could prevent it from complying with provisions of the Electoral Act which require political parties to submit notices and other documents within specified timelines.
It pointed out that INEC had already fixed May 10 as the deadline for the submission of relevant documents by political parties.
“By declining to receive communication from the ADC within the same period, the commission is effectively placing the party in a position where it may be unable to meet its statutory obligations,” the statement said.
The party argued that the situation could be used to justify excluding it from fielding candidates if the leadership case is not resolved before the deadline.
The ADC also rejected INEC’s explanation that the directive was aimed at preserving the integrity of the ongoing court proceedings, insisting that the move contradicts the commission’s earlier stance and actions.
It therefore called on the electoral body to reverse the decision and resume official engagement with the party to ensure fairness in the political process.
INEC had announced on April 1 that it removed the names of some ADC officials, including Mark and Aregbesola, from its records.
The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the action was taken in compliance with a court order directing INEC to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the matter.
The ADC has been grappling with a prolonged leadership crisis since 2025 following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark.
The dispute traces back to disagreements over the tenure of former national chairman Ralph Nwosu, whose term reportedly ended in August 2022.
While Nwosu was said to have supported the leadership transition in 2025, his deputy, Nafiu Bala Gombe, maintained that he should assume office as acting chairman after Nwosu’s exit.
The disagreement has led to several legal battles, including cases at the appellate courts, and has raised concerns about the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Despite the controversy, Mark told journalists at a press briefing in Abuja on April 2 that the party would continue with its activities, including congresses, describing INEC’s action as unlawful.
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