2027: ADC Makes Fresh Move After Losing Faith In INEC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it will establish an independent system to collate polling-unit results ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid concerns raised by the party over its confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Our Heritage Reporters reports that the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television, where he also raised concerns over political violence and the protection of opposition supporters ahead of the elections.

Abdullahi said the party would independently collect results from polling units and compare them with figures subsequently released by INEC, while acknowledging that the commission retains the legal authority to collate and announce election results.

“We are no longer naive. We’ve seen what could happen.
Whether deliberately or inadvertently, we can no longer trust INEC to protect our votes for us,” Abdullahi said.

He linked the party’s concerns to the 2023 general elections, recalling his experience as a senatorial candidate in Kwara State and the problems surrounding the electronic transmission of results.

The ADC spokesman also accused the government and security authorities of failing to adequately respond to alleged attacks on party members in Rivers and Kogi states.

Abdullahi said the party had evidence of attacks, including the killing of a young man in Rivers State while organising an ADC meeting and injuries allegedly sustained by supporters preparing for a political gathering in Kogi State.

“The least that the ruling party could do is to come out to condemn this violence. They have not done that,” he said, urging the police to demonstrate that they could contain political violence.

He warned that continued failure to address such incidents could encourage affected individuals to resort to self-help and worsen insecurity.

The ADC spokesman, however, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to non-violence, saying its candidates had been instructed to avoid statements capable of provoking ethnic or religious tensions.

The latest position comes amid the party’s broader calls for electoral reforms, protection of political activities and greater accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.