The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of yielding to intimidation from the ruling party, warning that this could compromise the integrity of the 2027 elections. Bolaji Abdullahi, the party's National Publicity Secretary, made the claim during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Thursday, asserting that INEC no longer operates with neutrality. He alleged that the electoral body has succumbed to pressure, aiming to favor President Bola Tinubu.
Abdullahi's statement follows a leadership crisis within ADC, where Nafiu Ubala resigned as national chairman on May 18, 2025. Despite INEC receiving formal notice of the resignation on August 12, 2025, the commission continues to recognize Ubala as the party's chairman, a move Abdullahi described as partisan interference. He pointed to a July 17 court ruling that upheld Ubala's removal, yet INEC ignored it, calling the commission's actions criminal. Abdullahi also criticized INEC's proposal for voters to revalidate their cards months before the election, calling it a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise citizens. ADC has given INEC a 21-day notice to comply, vowing to proceed with its convention regardless.
INEC's refusal to enforce its own rules exposes a dangerous pattern. By prioritizing political convenience over legal clarity, the commission undermines public trust in elections before they even begin. If this disregard for court rulings persists, Nigerians should brace for a 2027 vote where the referee openly picks favorites.
