ADC Challenges INEC Over Leadership Conflict, Gatherings Ahead of 2027 Elections in Nigeria

The opposition party in Nigeria, ADC, has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its upcoming conventions.

The ADC has planned to hold its conventions despite the fact that INEC has not approved the leadership of the party’s interim executive committee, as the 2027 general elections are fast approaching.

This comes after the ADC rejected the decision by INEC to remove David Mark as the party’s chairman, Ra’uf Aregbesola and other members of the executive committee from the list of names approved by INEC as party leaders, following a court ruling.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared April 1, 2026, as the date for the cessation of receipt of applications, agreements or proposals from the party.

Inec added that it would not interfere with any conventions to be held by the two parties until the Federal High Court delivers its judgment.
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‎This prompted the party stakeholders to meet with journalists. The stakeholders included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Rotimi Ameachi from Rivers State, Peter Obi from Anambra State, Ra’uf Aregbesola from Osun State and Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso from Kano.
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‎He held a meeting chaired by David Marka, and stated that they would continue their meetings even if INEC did not attend.
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‎David Mark added that there is no provision in the Nigerian constitution that requires INEC to monitor party meetings before the meeting is valid.
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‎David Mark also asked the APC National Chairman Bola Tinubu what he was afraid of?
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‎While the controversy was ongoing, the ADC told its members that the next thing to do was the party’s convention which they had already notified the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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“This is to inform party members that, despite the decision taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ADC will continue to hold its meetings as scheduled as it notified INEC on February 27, 2026.”

This was announced by the ADC Public Relations Officer, Bolaji Abdullahi.

2027 Election Commission Schedule and ADC’s ​​Future

The big question now is what the future holds for the ADC party as the general elections are just a few months away.

The new electoral law signed by President Tinubu after the approval of the National Assembly on February 18, 2026, provides for the possibility of changing the date of the election.

Initially, INEC had set the date for the 2027 election but later changed it after the President signed the election law.
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‎Under the new electoral system, political parties will conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, and resolve any disputes within that period.
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‎The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set the campaign period for the presidential and House of Representatives elections to begin on August 19, 2026, while the campaign for governorship and state assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.

‎It is with this framework that political parties have begun to convene, including the ADC, which has joined its peers in releasing its manifesto.
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‎The ADC’s ​​spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said that despite the decision by INEC not to monitor their activities until the court concludes the case, they will continue with their plans.
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‎The fact that all political parties have until May 30, 2026 to complete all electoral preparations including primaries, if the Court does not take any action against the ADC, could affect them in the 2027 presidential and gubernatorial elections – starting with Ekiti and Osun states.
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‎There is a mechanism in place within the electoral commission to monitor and supervise primaries.
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‎”The primaries are conducted before INEC officials who will ensure the integrity of the elections as provided for in the Nigerian Constitution and the 2010 Act.”

‎‎If INEC says they will not attend the ADC convention and the primaries, what will happen? Either the name of the party’s candidate will not appear on the ballot box or the matter will be referred to the Court again.

‎ADC National Convention Schedule

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the presidential and House of Representatives elections will be held on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.

The party spokesperson said that they have already informed INEC of their strategy and nothing will stop them from implementing it.

• ‎Candidates’ Identification- 7 April 2026
• ‎Complaints and Screening-8 April 2026
• ‎Local Government and Constituency Conferences- 9 April 2026
• ‎Complaints-10 April 2026
• ‎State Party Conferences- 11 April 2026
• ‎Hearing of Complaints and Appeals- 12 April 2026
• ‎National Party Conference- 14 April 2026