The African Democratic Congress has warned that a directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission could prevent it from fielding candidates in upcoming elections, deepening its ongoing leadership crisis.
In a statement, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said INEC’s decision to halt correspondence with the party pending a court ruling places it at risk of missing critical electoral deadlines. He argued that the move effectively blocks compliance with statutory requirements, including submission timelines.
The party insisted that INEC had previously recognised its leadership after monitoring its July 2025 NEC meeting and updating records to reflect David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. It described the Commission’s current stance as contradictory and legally troubling.
According to the ADC, the refusal to accept its correspondence ahead of key deadlines—such as May 10—creates what it called an “impossible position” that could lead to its exclusion from the ballot. The party urged INEC to reverse the directive and ensure a level playing field.
INEC, however, maintained that its decision followed a court order to preserve the status quo in the dispute, which stems from a prolonged leadership tussle involving factions linked to former chairman Ralph Nwosu and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The standoff has raised fresh concerns over the party’s readiness for future elections as legal battles over its leadership continue.
