_ _ _ _Obi Raises Ballot Exclusion Concerns
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remained silent yesterday amid fresh allegations from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which accused the electoral body of creating deliberate obstacles aimed at preventing it from presenting candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The commission also did not respond to a 72-hour ultimatum issued by ADC youths, who demanded a reversal of INEC’s refusal to recognise the party’s National Executive Committee led by David Mark, warning of nationwide protests if their demands are not met.
This development coincided with claims from the media office of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, alleging a coordinated effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent him from appearing on the ballot in the next presidential election.
Responding swiftly, Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, dismissed the allegation, insisting the ruling party has no involvement in Obi’s political challenges and advising him to resolve internal party issues.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that INEC was deliberately introducing administrative hurdles designed to frustrate the party’s participation in upcoming elections. Central to the dispute is INEC’s position that it will no longer accept correspondence from the ADC pending the resolution of a case before the Federal High Court.
The party argued that while this stance may appear procedural, it conflicts with timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act, including the mandatory 21-day notice period and deadlines for submission of required documents. According to the ADC, INEC’s refusal to receive its communications effectively places the party in a position where compliance becomes impossible, thereby risking disqualification.
Citing what it described as documentary evidence, the ADC maintained that INEC had previously acknowledged and monitored its July 29, 2025 NEC meeting, updated its records, and recognised the leadership structure headed by David Mark, with Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. The party noted that this position was also reflected in INEC’s sworn affidavit submitted in court.
Despite this, the ADC expressed concern that INEC has now reversed course, warning that such actions could create grounds for excluding the party from the electoral process. It called on the commission to immediately resume acceptance of its communications and uphold fairness in the political space.
Meanwhile, Obi’s media office, through spokesman Ibrahim Umar, alleged that ongoing crises within the Labour Party were being deliberately fueled to weaken Obi’s chances ahead of 2027. The statement claimed that efforts to stabilise the party had been undermined by external interference, including alleged judicial manipulation.
The office further argued that recent legislative amendments and INEC’s actions were targeted at limiting the influence of opposition forces, particularly after Obi’s association with the ADC coalition. It warned against attempts to engineer a one-party system and urged stakeholders to safeguard democratic principles.
However, the APC rejected these claims, with Tooki insisting that the ruling party cannot be blamed for challenges within opposition parties. He maintained that all political parties are subject to the same electoral guidelines and advised Obi and his supporters to address their internal disagreements.
In a related development, the ADC youth wing, led by Balarabe Rufai, issued a strong warning to INEC, accusing it of interfering in the party’s internal affairs and exceeding its constitutional mandate. The group demanded the immediate restoration of the David Mark-led leadership and called for the resignation or removal of the INEC chairman.
They warned that failure to act within the stipulated 72 hours would trigger coordinated, peaceful protests across the country, including occupation of INEC offices nationwide.
Addressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the group cautioned against any moves to weaken opposition parties, stressing that Nigeria must not drift toward a one-party system.
Adding to the criticism, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), through its Executive Director Auwal Rafsanjani, faulted INEC’s handling of the situation. He warned that the commission’s actions could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process and threaten the credibility of future elections.
Rafsanjani emphasised that a healthy democracy requires active participation of multiple political parties, cautioning that any attempt to sideline opposition groups could fuel political tension and erode public trust.
He urged INEC to act transparently, adhere to constitutional provisions, and avoid actions that could portray it as biased or influenced, warning that failure to do so could damage Nigeria’s democratic reputation both locally and internationally.