The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of abandoning neutrality, claiming the electoral body has aligned itself with President Tinubu's government. In a statement issued late Thursday by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party rejected INEC's interpretation of a recent Court of Appeal ruling, which the commission used to justify removing the names of ADC's National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal. ADC insists the ruling was misrepresented and alleges that INEC's actions were influenced by pressure from a government alarmed by the party's increasing visibility. The party described INEC's statement as contradictory and lacking in factual or logical grounding. According to Abdullahi, the move signals a broader threat to opposition parties and democratic fairness in Nigeria. ADC said it is currently assessing its legal and political options and will communicate its next steps shortly. The party urged its members and supporters across the country to remain calm and united. "Nigeria is rising. ADC is rising," the statement concluded.
ADC's public break with INEC over the Court of Appeal ruling isn't just about names on a portal—it's a direct challenge to the credibility of Nigeria's electoral framework at a tense political moment. With figures like David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola sidelined by INEC's actions, the optics feed into a familiar narrative: power consolidating around the centre while opposition pathways narrow. In a country where trust in institutions has long been strained, ADC's claim of governmental pressure taps into real public skepticism. Whether this fuels genuine political shift or becomes another chapter in Nigeria's cycle of institutional distrust depends on what the party does next—not just what it says.
