The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its determination to participate in the 2027 general election, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) move to withdraw recognition of its leadership will not hinder its plans.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed confidence that the party would navigate its current challenges.
“One thing I can guarantee is that we will contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform,” he said.
The party is currently facing a leadership crisis following INEC’s decision to derecognise its factions based on an existing court order. Despite this, Abdullahi said the party still trusts the judicial process.
“Regardless of what has happened in Nigeria, we still have confidence in the judiciary. We believe we have a slam-dunk case… While we are hoping for the best, we are also preparing for the worst,” he stated.
He noted that the party had fulfilled all legal obligations by notifying INEC ahead of its planned congresses.
“If the same INEC that swore in an affidavit that it was aware of the leadership change in the ADC is now turning around to say what they are saying, they are not going to stop us,” Abdullahi said.
The spokesperson emphasised that the ADC would not boycott the electoral process, warning that such a move would weaken democracy.
“We are not going to boycott. Like I said, to boycott is to surrender. I mean, you boycott, you make headlines — then what?” he said.
Abdullahi also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken opposition parties in pursuit of a one-party system.
“We in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are saying that Nigeria will not become a one-party state in our generation. We will do everything within the law to resist it,” he said.
He further alleged that the ruling party aims to dominate the political landscape ahead of the next election.
“They want a situation whereby when we arrive in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the only viable contestant,” Abdullahi added.
Despite the internal crisis, he maintained that the party remains committed to contesting the election, stressing that it represents Nigerians seeking credible political alternatives.