ADC demands INEC chairman’s sack, alleges plot to enforce one-party state

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; former Osun State Governor and African Democratic Congress National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; ADC National Chairman, David Mark; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, during a press conference in Abuja on
Thursday.

The African Democratic Congress has raised alarm over what it described as a calculated plot to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of using the Independent National Electoral Commission to weaken opposition parties.

ADC National Chairman, David Mark, who stated this while addressing newsmen at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, also demanded the immediate sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan Joash, over alleged bias and unlawful actions.

INEC had on Wednesday announced its decision to delist key ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and others.
INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, stated that the decision was in compliance with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case by the trial court.

The ADC has faced an ongoing leadership crisis since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark in July 2025.
The crisis stemmed from disagreements over the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, whose term officially ended in August 2022. However, Nwosu was reportedly involved in facilitating the 2025 leadership transition, a move that triggered opposition from factions within the party.
The dispute escalated as rival groups laid claim to the party’s leadership, resulting in multiple court cases. This has created uncertainty within the ADC, raising concerns that the internal conflict could weaken its preparedness for the 2027 general elections

Reacting, Mark said that over the past three years, there has been a sustained attack on the freedom of association, a core principle guaranteed in any democracy.

The embattled ADC chairman further alleged that the aim is to engineer a situation where, by 2027, President Bola Tinubu becomes the sole viable choice for Nigerians, despite the prevailing hardship and escalating insecurity across the country.

He stated, “The agenda is very clear: to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people, despite the widespread suffering and wanton killings going on across the country. The twin challenge of deepening poverty and a worsening security situation in the country did not just happen. They are direct consequences of the failure of this government. They know that Nigerians will not want this to continue. They know Nigerians will vote them out. This is why they would do anything to hang on to power by hook or crook.”

Mark stated that their decision to join the ADC was deliberate, noting that they carried out thorough due diligence
He stated, “In furtherance of this process, a NEC meeting was convened on July 29th, 2025, monitored by INEC officials. One of the conclusions of that NEC meeting was the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the party and the ratification of a caretaker committee to take over the affairs of the party, with my humble self, David Mark, as the National Chairman; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary; as well as others who have since been serving as officers of the party.

He continued, Right now, I speak to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. I also speak directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: with 90% of the National Assembly and over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 governors in the APC, President Tinubu, what are you afraid of? If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest? If you are indeed the democrat that you claim to be, why are you bent on destroying all opposition political parties?

It is important to state the net implications of this decision taken by INEC, in case they had not thought of it, or they just do not care: First, by attempting to subvert the leadership of the ADC, INEC has already undermined our participation in the Osun and Ekiti elections taking place later this year.
“Secondly, we have our congresses starting on the 9th of April, 2026, ending with our convention on the 14th of April, 2026. We have given due notice to INEC, and they have acknowledged receipt of that notice. This is what the law requires of us. Let us sound a note of warning. This INEC under Professor Joash Amupitan will be held directly responsible for whatever actions or reactions follow this criminal path that it has chosen to take.