INEC should deregister ADC for lack of electoral value — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that the party lacks electoral relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections. The call was made during a press conference in Abuja, where APC officials questioned the continued recognition of the ADC given its poor performance in recent elections. The ruling party cited the ADC's inability to win any significant number of votes or elected positions in the last two general elections as justification for its demand. APC spokesman, Romanus Ugwu, stated that "a party that cannot secure meaningful votes across the country no longer meets the threshold for national party status." He added that maintaining such parties on the ballot creates unnecessary clutter and undermines electoral efficiency. The APC argued that INEC has the constitutional authority to review the status of political parties and should act to streamline the electoral process. The ADC, which fielded presidential candidate Obiageli Ezekwesili in 2019, secured only 0.35 percent of the vote in that election. In the 2023 presidential race, the party did not field a candidate, further fueling questions about its operational viability. INEC has not responded to the APC's demand. The commission is expected to conduct a periodic review of registered political parties before the 2027 elections, a process that could determine the ADC's fate.