The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its determination to participate in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections under its own platform, despite recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of the party’s leadership following a court directive.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this position clear during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, where he expressed strong confidence that the ADC would overcome the legal and institutional challenges currently confronting it.
Abdullahi stated unequivocally that the party would not be deterred from contesting the 2027 elections, stressing that its commitment to democratic participation remains firm. According to him, regardless of the ongoing dispute, the ADC is fully prepared to defend its position through legal means and continue its political activities.
“We will contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform,” he declared, adding that the party has faith in Nigeria’s judicial system to resolve the matter fairly. He described the party’s case as strong and straightforward, expressing optimism that an accelerated hearing, if granted, would lead to a favourable outcome.
While maintaining confidence in the courts, Abdullahi noted that the party is also preparing for all possible scenarios, indicating a dual strategy of legal engagement and political readiness. He emphasised that the ADC is not approaching the situation passively but is actively working to ensure its continued relevance in the political landscape.
Central to the party’s argument is its compliance with electoral regulations. Abdullahi pointed out that the ADC had duly notified INEC of its planned congresses within the stipulated 21-day period, as required by law. He argued that the commission’s subsequent reversal of its position—after previously acknowledging the party’s leadership structure—raises serious questions about consistency and institutional credibility.
According to him, INEC had earlier affirmed its awareness of the leadership changes within the party, including through sworn affidavits, making its current stance appear contradictory. Despite this, he insisted that the commission’s actions would not prevent the ADC from moving forward with its plans.
Abdullahi further underscored the broader implications of the dispute, warning that yielding to such pressures would amount to complicity in undermining Nigeria’s democratic system. He argued that the ADC’s resistance is not merely about internal party leadership but about safeguarding the integrity of multiparty democracy in the country.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of pursuing an agenda aimed at weakening opposition parties and consolidating political dominance. According to him, the ADC is determined to resist any attempt to transform Nigeria into a one-party state.
“We will do everything within the law to ensure that Nigeria does not become a one-party state in our generation,” Abdullahi said, framing the party’s stance as a defence of democratic pluralism.
He also suggested that the ruling party’s actions are driven by concerns over declining public support. Despite controlling a significant number of state governments and legislative seats, he argued that the APC is increasingly losing the confidence of ordinary Nigerians. This, he claimed, has led to efforts to destabilise opposition parties and limit viable alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections.
Abdullahi alleged that a broader strategy is underway to weaken key opposition platforms, thereby creating a political environment in which President Tinubu would face minimal competition. He cited developments within other parties as evidence of this trend, arguing that similar patterns of internal disruption and external interference have affected multiple opposition groups.
According to him, the ultimate objective is to ensure that by the time the 2027 elections arrive, the political field will be sufficiently narrowed to favour the incumbent. He described this as a deliberate and coordinated agenda that the ADC is prepared to confront.
When asked whether the party would consider joining calls by some opposition groups to boycott the 2027 elections, Abdullahi dismissed the idea outright. He argued that a boycott would be counterproductive and would effectively concede the political space to the ruling party.
“Boycotting is surrender,” he said, noting that while such actions may generate temporary attention, they ultimately fail to produce meaningful political change. Instead, he emphasised the importance of active participation as a means of advancing democratic accountability and representation.
He added that the ADC carries the aspirations of millions of Nigerians who have faced economic and social challenges in recent years. For this reason, he said, the party cannot afford to withdraw from a process that offers an opportunity to address those concerns through democratic means.
The current dispute over the party’s leadership has its roots in a legal challenge filed in September 2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case questioned the legitimacy of the National Working Committee led by prominent figures, with the plaintiff arguing that leadership succession within the party had not followed due process.
The suit specifically challenged the emergence of the current leadership structure, alleging irregularities in the resignation of a previous party leader and raising questions about the authenticity of key documents. These claims formed the basis of the court’s directive, which INEC has cited in its decision to alter the party’s leadership records on its official portal.
In response, Abdullahi maintained that the process through which the current leadership emerged was both lawful and transparent. He insisted that the party acted in accordance with its constitution and relevant legal provisions, and that any suggestion to the contrary is unfounded.
The ADC has, in recent months, positioned itself as a major coalition platform ahead of the 2027 elections. Since its adoption as a unifying party for various political interests in July 2025, it has attracted the support of several high-profile political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
This growing coalition has strengthened the party’s profile and increased its visibility as a potential challenger in the next presidential election. However, it has also placed the ADC at the centre of political contestation, particularly as it seeks to consolidate its position amid legal and institutional challenges.
Despite the uncertainty, Abdullahi’s remarks reflect a party that is both resolute and strategic in its approach. By combining legal action with political mobilisation, the ADC appears intent on navigating the current crisis while maintaining its long-term objective of contesting and potentially reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
As the 2027 elections approach, the outcome of the ongoing legal battle—and the broader dynamics between electoral institutions and political parties—will play a critical role in determining the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy. For the ADC, the stakes are not only about electoral participation but also about asserting its place within an increasingly competitive and complex political environment.
