The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against favouring the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 electoral process. The council warned that the credibility of the election would depend on INEC's neutrality, transparency, and equal treatment of voters. ADC's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, remains prepared to participate in the 2027 election provided INEC guarantees a free, fair, and credible process.
The ADC campaign, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, urged INEC to ensure eligible Nigerians who register to vote can collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The council expressed concern over alleged bureaucratic bottlenecks and delays at PVC collection centres, particularly in areas considered strongholds of opposition parties. Ologbondiyan said INEC must demonstrate its independence by resisting any attempt by the ruling party to influence its decisions or operations.
Ologbondiyan emphasised that reading out registration figures is insufficient, and what matters is the number of cards actually collected by Nigerians. He said the commission must prevent disenfranchisement through administrative obstacles, deliberate delays, or unequal access to voter cards. The council urged INEC to decentralise PVC collection to the ward level, extend collection hours, and deploy technology to notify voters when their cards are ready for collection.
The ADC-PCC warned that any attempt to manipulate the process in favour of the ruling party would attract lawful resistance from Nigerians. Ologbondiyan said the ADC would insist on full compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act throughout the electoral process. The party is closely monitoring INEC's activities ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that it won't allow anything short of compliance with electoral laws.
Atiku Abubakar also accused President Bola Tinubu of abandoning farmers, saying the agricultural sector is collapsing. He promised that the ADC would provide production subsidies for locally refined fuels if elected. The ADC's concerns about INEC's neutrality and the electoral process come amid allegations of bias and manipulation in previous elections.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has been urged to take steps to ensure the commission's independence and impartiality. The ADC-PCC called on Amupitan to ensure that INEC remains an unbiased umpire and does not operate as an extension of the ruling party. The party's demands come as Nigerians prepare for the 2027 general election, which is expected to be a crucial opportunity for the country to determine its future.
The ADC's warning to INEC and the APC comes amid growing concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria. Nigerians have endured hardship, hunger, and misgovernance under the APC, and many see the 2027 election as a rescue mission. The ADC-PCC has vowed to ensure that the electoral process is transparent, neutral, and in compliance with due process.
Key points
- ADC cautions INEC against partiality in 2027 elections
- Party demands decentralisation of PVC collection
- Atiku Abubakar accuses Tinubu of abandoning farmers
