2027: Mark-led ADC Insists On Contesting Despite INEC Dispute, Rejects Boycott Calls

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark has reaffirmed its determination to contest the 2027 general election on its platform, dismissing concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) stance on the party’s leadership following a court order.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed strong confidence in both the judiciary and the party’s preparedness to navigate the ongoing legal and political challenges.

“One thing I can guarantee is that we will contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform,” Abdullahi said. He added that the party remains optimistic about its legal position and expects a favourable outcome in court.

“Regardless of what has happened in Nigeria, we still have confidence in the judiciary. We believe we have a slam-dunk case. If we are granted the accelerated hearing today and the court sits, we are confident that justice will be done. We have no doubt in our minds about that. While we are hoping for the best, we are also preparing for the worst.”

Abdullahi argued that the party had complied with all regulatory requirements, including notifying INEC ahead of its congresses, and insisted that the commission’s position would not hinder its plans.

“If the same INEC that swore in an affidavit that it was aware of the leadership change in the ADC is now turning around to say what they are saying, they are not going to stop us.”

He stressed that backing down would amount to undermining Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

The ADC spokesperson accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu of attempting to steer Nigeria toward a one-party system, a move he said the opposition would resist.

“We in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are saying that Nigeria will not become a one-party state in our generation. We will do everything within the law to resist it.”

He further claimed that despite the APC’s dominance in terms of elected officials, public support for the party is waning.

“The APC has almost all the governors and lawmakers, but Nigerians do not want the party anymore.”

Abdullahi also alleged a broader strategy to weaken opposition parties ahead of the next election cycle.

“It is the same agenda. They want a situation whereby when we arrive in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the only viable contestant. This is the agenda.

It is the reason they decapitated the PDP and made it an appendage of the ruling party now; it is the reason they destabilize the Labour Party; it is the reason they destroyed NNPP.”

On calls by some opposition figures to boycott the 2027 elections, Abdullahi firmly ruled out such a move, describing it as counterproductive.

“We are not going to boycott. Like I said, to boycott is to surrender. I mean, you boycott, you make headlines — then what?”

He noted that the party represents the aspirations of many Nigerians who expect meaningful change through the democratic process.

The dispute stems from a suit filed in September 2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the legality of the National Working Committee led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. The claimant argued he should have assumed leadership following the resignation of the previous chairman and alleged that the resignation letter was forged.

Last week, INEC removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC from its records, citing a court directive to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the case.

Despite the controversy, Abdullahi maintains that the emergence of the current leadership is both “clear” and “legal,” as the ADC—adopted as a coalition platform in July 2025—positions itself as a major challenger in the 2027 presidential election.

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