ADC Raises Alarm Over INEC Landmines – Plot To Prevent Party From Fielding Candidates

ADC Raises Alarm Over INEC Landmines. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has revealed the deliberate administrative landmines being deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent the Party from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party stated that at the heart of this emerging crisis is INEC’s stated position that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the ADC pending the determination of a matter before the Federal High Court. On its face, this may appear procedural. In reality, it creates a direct and dangerous conflict with the clear timelines imposed by the Electoral Act (2026), which provides defined windows, including the mandatory 21-day notice period and subsequent submission requirements, within which political parties must complete critical electoral processes.

The full statement reads:

We are compelled to raise serious concerns about a developing situation that appears designed to prevent the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from fielding candidates in the upcoming elections. It is based on documentary evidence which we are now placing before the Nigerian public, including certified INEC records, attendance logs, monitoring reports, and excerpts from the Commission’s own sworn affidavit. Taken together, these documents establish a clear and consistent record of events.

INEC received formal notice of the July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC. It deployed officials to monitor that meeting. It documented the proceedings and received formal reports from its field officers. Following this, INEC updated its internal records and uploaded the names of the new leadership, including Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
These are not claims. They are facts contained in INEC’s own records.

In addition, the Commission’s sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court, in its response to Nafiu Bala Gombe on 12 September 2025, particularly in Clauses 14 to 19, affirms key legal principles: that the leadership transition had already been completed and recognized, that such internal party matters fall outside the scope of judicial interference, that completed acts cannot be reversed by injunction, and also recognizes the David Mark-led NWC.

Yet, despite this clear documentary trail, INEC has now taken the position that it will no longer receive any correspondence from the ADC pending the determination of a matter before the Federal High Court. This is where the contradiction becomes dangerous.

The Electoral Act imposes strict timelines on political parties, including the 21-day notice requirement and submission deadlines. INEC itself has fixed May 10 as the deadline for the submission of relevant documents. However, by refusing to receive communication from the ADC within this same period, the Commission is effectively preventing the Party from complying with the law.

In simple terms, INEC is effectively threatening that unless the courts deliver judgment on the ADC leadership issue by May 10, it will prevent the ADC from producing candidates.

This places the ADC in an impossible position and creates a clear pathway to artificial non-compliance, which can then be used to justify excluding the Party from fielding candidates. That is the landmine.

INEC has claimed that its April 1 decision was taken to avoid rendering the proceedings before the Federal High Court nugatory. The reality is the opposite. By intervening in a matter already before the court and issuing a pronouncement with clear legal and operational consequences, the Commission has itself undermined the very process it claims to protect.

ADC

What is even more concerning is that this position contradicts INEC’s own prior conduct and legal stance. The same Commission that monitored, documented, recognized, and swore to an affidavit confirming the ADC leadership is now acting in a way that contradicts its earlier position.

We therefore call on the Commission to immediately reverse this position, resume the acceptance of all lawful correspondence from the ADC, and uphold its constitutional responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.

We also call on Nigerians to be wary and remain vigilant about these dangerous machinations to subvert Nigeria’s democracy and impose a civilian dictatorship on the country.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)

NAF Sustains High-Tempo Air Operations As CAS Aneke Engages Frontline Troops At Easter In Maiduguri

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustaining high-tempo air operations against insurgents as he engaged frontline personnel during an Easter luncheon at NAF Base Maiduguri on 6 April 2026.

Represented by the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Air Vice Marshal MS Ibrahim, the CAS commended personnel of the Air Component, Operation HADIN KAI, for their resilience, professionalism, and steadfastness in executing relentless precision strikes, armed reconnaissance, and intelligence-driven missions that continue to degrade terrorist networks and severely restrict their freedom of movement across the North-East theatre. He noted that the sustained operational pressure being applied by the Air Component remains critical to the broader joint force objective of denying insurgents safe havens and restoring lasting peace in the region.

The CAS further highlighted ongoing efforts to deepen operational capability through the induction of advanced combat platforms, unmanned aerial systems, enhanced mission training, and strengthened strategic partnerships aimed at improving combat effectiveness.

He also assured personnel of continued improvements in welfare, medical support, and accommodation as essential enablers of morale and sustained mission performance. Paying tribute to fallen heroes, he urged troops to remain resolute and mission-focused, while also appreciating the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, defence authorities, and the Borno State Government toward ongoing air operations. The Easter engagement once again reinforced the Nigerian Air Force’s resolve to sustain decisive airpower employment and high-tempo counter-insurgency operations until enduring peace and stability are fully restored in the North-East.

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Head of Service, Dr Sadiq Abubakar Mohammed, commended the NAF for its decisive role in degrading insurgent networks and improving security across the state and the wider North-East region. He praised the gallantry and sacrifice of NAF personnel and acknowledged the Service’s humanitarian interventions, noting that its medical outreaches, disaster response efforts, and logistical support have continued to positively impact affected communities.

NAF Sustains High-Tempo Air Operations

Earlier, the Air Component Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Air Commodore MB Ahmed, highlighted the growing operational impact of NAF airpower in the theatre. He noted that sustained precision air strikes, intelligence-driven missions, and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations have continued to dismantle terrorist logistics chains, neutralise key targets, and restrict insurgents’ freedom of movement across the theatre.

The Easter engagement further reinforced NAF’s war-fighting spirit, strengthened troop morale, and reaffirmed the Service’s determination to sustain decisive air operations until lasting peace and security are fully restored in the North-East.

Jigawa APC, NNPP, PDP Members Join ADC

Jigawa APC, NNPP, PDP members join ADC. On Sunday, Dutse, the Jigawa State capital witnessed a large turnout of supporters and politicians during a mass gathering to formally receive a two-term senator representing Jigawa South-West Senatorial District, Senator Sabo Nakudu, who joined the ADC alongside other defectors.

Nakudu, accompanied by other politicians from across the state, was received by ADC leaders and supporters.

The former senator, who chaired the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) in the 9th Assembly, resigned from the APC on Friday and joined the ADC on Sunday.

Speaking after receiving his ADC membership card, Nakudu said, “I am grateful to my supporters for turning out en masse to receive me into my new party,” adding, “I promise to work towards a greater Jigawa and the country at large.”

Nakudu, who contested against Governor Umar Namadi during the 2023 APC governorship primaries, is expected to run for governor on the ADC platform in 2027.

Sources close to him said he has begun consultations with key stakeholders in the state.

Another prominent figure linked to the ADC is Aminu Ringim, a three-time governorship candidate in Jigawa State under the PDP (2015, 2019) and NNPP (2023).

Ringim, described as a protégé of former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said he would soon formally join the ADC at a similar event in his hometown.

Also present at the event was Senator Ubale Shittu, a political figure who previously represented Jigawa North-East Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly on the PDP platform before later moving to the APC.

Earlier, the Jigawa State ADC coordinator, Ahmad Gumel, welcomed Nakudu and other defectors, describing the development as a boost to the party.

He said the defections reflected the party’s growing popularity in the state and praised Nakudu’s experience as an asset.

He urged party members to work towards unity, adding, “We must take over power in 2027 by the grace of God.”

Reacting, the PDP Public Relations Officer in the state, Umar Kyari, dismissed the defections, saying they did not involve key members of the party.

“They’re just a group of political jokers seeking relevance,” he told our correspondent via telephone on Monday.

Kyari challenged the ADC to test its popularity at the polls.

“If they want to test their power, come out and contest — we’ll show them what politics is,” he said.

Also reacting, the APC spokesperson in the state, Bashir Kundu, downplayed the development, describing the defectors as driven by personal interests.

“They’re chasing personal interests, not the public good,” he said.

ADC

Kundu added that Namadi’s performance would continue to attract support, expressing confidence that more politicians would join the APC.

“In politics, you relate with anyone and can be left by anyone,” he added.

Efforts to obtain comments from the NNPP were unsuccessful, as calls to known contacts of party officials did not go through.