April 8, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vowed to contest the 2027 general elections despite recent threats from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of deliberately destabilizing opposition parties to consolidate power.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated on Channels Television that the government’s alleged efforts are intended to leave President Bola Tinubu as the only viable candidate in 2027.
“They want a situation whereby when we arrive in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the only viable contestant. This is the agenda,” Abdullahi said.
He further claimed that the ruling party has used similar tactics to weaken the DP)”,”Nigeria”], Labour Party”,”Nigeria”], and PP)”,”Nigeria”].
INEC Leadership Dispute
INEC recently removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal, citing a court order to maintain the status quo in an internal leadership dispute.
Despite this, Abdullahi expressed confidence in the judiciary, stating:
“Regardless of what has happened in Nigeria, we still have confidence in the judiciary. We believe we have a slam-dunk case. If we are granted the accelerated hearing today and the court sits, we are confident that justice will be done.”
Rejecting calls by some opposition groups to boycott the elections, Abdullahi emphasized:
“To boycott is to surrender. One thing I can guarantee is that we will contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform.”
He warned that allowing opposition parties to collapse could undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democracy:
“We in the African Democratic Congress are saying that Nigeria will not become a one-party state in our generation. We will do everything within the law to resist it.”
The leadership dispute within the ADC stems from a suit filed in September 2025 challenging the legality of the National Working Committee led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. The party insists that its current leadership was produced through a legal and transparent process, complying with all statutory requirements, including providing INEC with the mandatory 21-day notice for congresses.
Abdullahi reiterated that the ADC represents the aspirations of millions of Nigerians seeking alternatives ahead of 2027 and will not abandon the electoral process.
“The ADC carries the hopes of millions of Nigerians who have endured hardships over the last three years, and we will not disappoint them by boycotting a process that could improve their lives,” he said.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to track this story and provide updates on the ADC’s legal battle and preparations for the 2027 elections.
