By Uthman Salaudeen
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over what it described as a calculated attempt to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to weaken opposition parties.
ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, made the allegation on Thursday while addressing journalists at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Mark also called for the immediate removal of INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan Joash, over alleged bias and what he described as unlawful actions by the electoral body.
The development follows INEC’s decision to delist key ADC figures, including Mark and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal.
INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the action was in compliance with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit before a trial court.
Reacting, Mark described the move as part of a broader pattern of actions aimed at undermining democratic freedoms, particularly the right to association.
“The agenda is very clear: to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people,” he said.
He further linked the alleged plot to worsening socio-economic conditions and insecurity in the country, arguing that Nigerians would seek change if given a fair electoral process.
Mark also defended the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership, stating that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which produced the new leadership, was duly monitored by INEC officials.
According to him, the meeting dissolved the previous National Working Committee and installed a caretaker leadership, with himself as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary.
He added that the resolutions were formally communicated to INEC, which subsequently uploaded the names of the new party executives in September 2025.
The ADC has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis since 2025, following disputes over the tenure of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, whose term ended in August 2022 but remained a subject of internal contention.
The crisis has led to multiple court cases and factional claims to the party’s leadership, raising concerns about its cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
