ADC calls for INEC chairman’s removal, warns of Tinubu’s planned one-party agenda

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged a coordinated effort to tilt Nigeria’s political system towards a one-party structure ahead of the 2027 elections. The party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of leveraging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to destabilise opposition platforms.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, ADC National Chairman, Mr David Mark, urged the removal of INEC Chairman, Mr Amupitan Joash, citing what he described as partisan conduct and actions that breach electoral neutrality. He made the remarks while addressing journalists at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The controversy follows INEC’s announcement on Wednesday that it had delisted several ADC leaders, including Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola. The commission explained that its decision was based on a court directive to preserve the status quo pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute, according to its National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna.

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The ADC’s internal crisis, which began in 2025, has centred on disputes over leadership succession. Tensions escalated after a new National Working Committee led by Mark emerged in July 2025, a development linked to disagreements surrounding the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, whose term had officially expired in August 2022. His continued involvement in party affairs reportedly deepened divisions within the party.

As rival factions battled for control, multiple legal actions were filed, creating uncertainty within the ADC and raising questions about its readiness for the next general election cycle.

Mark, however, framed the situation as part of a broader pattern, alleging that democratic freedoms, particularly the right to association, have come under sustained pressure in recent years. He argued that the ultimate objective is to weaken opposition forces to the point where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces no viable competition in 2027.

He maintained that worsening economic conditions and insecurity have eroded public confidence in the current administration, suggesting that political interference is being used to retain power. According to him, the ADC leadership transition followed due process, including a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, which was observed by INEC officials.

Mark added that the outcomes of that meeting, including the dissolution of the previous leadership and the appointment of a caretaker committee, were formally communicated to INEC, which later updated its records in September 2025 to reflect the changes.

Addressing the legal dispute, he noted that one of the former party officials, Nafiu Bala, had resigned months earlier but later approached the court seeking recognition as chairman. Mark argued that INEC was already aware of both the resignation and the leadership changes before the lawsuit was filed.

He further explained that while the matter is still in court, the Court of Appeal had instructed all parties to maintain the ‘status quo ante bellum.’ However, he criticised INEC’s interpretation of that directive, accusing the commission of effectively creating a leadership vacuum within the party.

According to Mark, if there was any ambiguity in the court’s order, INEC should have sought clarification rather than acting unilaterally. He alleged that the commission’s actions demonstrate bias and amount to interference in the internal affairs of a political party.

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The ADC chairman also warned that the situation could affect the party’s participation in upcoming elections in Osun and Ekiti states, as well as its scheduled congresses and national convention in April 2026.

Calling for accountability, he said the current INEC leadership can no longer be trusted to conduct credible elections, insisting that both the chairman and national commissioners should step aside.

Despite the dispute, Mark affirmed that the ADC would proceed with its planned activities, arguing that the law does not make INEC’s presence mandatory for internal party processes.