The African Democratic Congress has raised alarm over what it described as a calculated plot to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of using the Independent National Electoral Commission to weaken opposition parties.
ADC National Chairman, David Mark, who stated this while addressing newsmen at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, also demanded the immediate sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan Joash, over alleged bias and unlawful actions.
INEC had on Wednesday announced its decision to delist key ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and others.
INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, stated that the decision was in compliance with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case by the trial court.
The ADC has faced an ongoing leadership crisis since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark in July 2025.
The crisis stemmed from disagreements over the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, whose term officially ended in August 2022. However, Nwosu was reportedly involved in facilitating the 2025 leadership transition, a move that triggered opposition from factions within the party.
The dispute escalated as rival groups laid claim to the party’s leadership, resulting in multiple court cases. This has created uncertainty within the ADC, raising concerns that the internal conflict could weaken its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
Reacting, Mark said that over the past three years, there has been a sustained attack on the freedom of association, a core principle guaranteed in any democracy.
The embattled ADC chairman further alleged that the aim is to engineer a situation where, by 2027, President Bola Tinubu becomes the sole viable choice for Nigerians, despite the prevailing hardship and escalating insecurity across the country.
He stated, “The agenda is very clear: to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people, despite the widespread suffering and wanton killings going on across the country. The twin challenge of deepening poverty and a worsening security situation in the country did not just happen. They are direct consequences of the failure of this government. They know that Nigerians will not want this to continue. They know Nigerians will vote them out. This is why they would do anything to hang on to power by hook or crook.”
Mark stated that their decision to join the ADC was deliberate, noting that they carried out thorough due diligence
He stated, “In furtherance of this process, a NEC meeting was convened on July 29th, 2025, monitored by INEC officials. One of the conclusions of that NEC meeting was the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the party and the ratification of a caretaker committee to take over the affairs of the party, with my humble self, David Mark, as the National Chairman; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary; as well as others who have since been serving as officers of the party.
“In addition to witnessing this process that brought in the new leadership of the party, a formal report of these resolutions was subsequently communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). On September 9th, 2025, INEC then uploaded the names of the relevant NWC members of the party, based on the NEC resolutions.
“One of the officials in the dissolved NWC was Nafiu Bala, who was one of the Deputy National Chairmen of the party. It is on record that Gombe resigned from this position on 17th May, 2025. His resignation was also duly transmitted to INEC on the 12th of August, 2025. Regardless of his resignation, he decided to approach the courts on September 2nd, 2025, four clear months after his resignation, seeking to be recognised as the Chairman of the ADC.
