The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of partisan conduct, alleging that the commission’s refusal to monitor its eighth National Convention in Abuja constitutes a serious breach of its democratic responsibilities.
In a report presented at the convention on Tuesday by the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC stated that INEC failed in its statutory duty by declining to observe the event. The party described the action as a clear indication of institutional bias.
According to the ADC, the Electoral Act requires INEC to monitor political party conventions, particularly those involving leadership decisions, candidate nominations, and merger arrangements. It argued that the commission’s absence raises concerns about fairness in Nigeria’s democratic process and suggests an attempt to delegitimise opposition activities.
The party warned that such actions could undermine electoral accountability and erode public trust in institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy.
In addition to its criticism of INEC, the ADC also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weakening democratic norms and exacerbating economic hardship across the country.
It pointed to rising fuel prices, worsening electricity supply, naira depreciation, and increasing poverty as indicators of governance failure under the current administration.
Despite the controversy, the ADC expressed confidence in its political prospects, describing itself as an “unstoppable force” and maintaining that no institution or political actor can hinder its emergence as a major opposition movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
