Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of succumbing to intimidation and partisan pressure, warning that Nigeria’s 2027 general elections are under threat, while also stating that the electoral body has been compromised, and its recent decisions undermine the political process and the credibility of upcoming elections.

In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Abdullahi highlighted what he described as INEC’s bias and failure to act neutrally in matters concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition parties.

“Today, INEC has been bamboozled. INEC has been intimidated. INEC has succumbed to intimidation and they are determined to coronet President Bola Tinubu.”

He added that the ADC would respond appropriately to INEC’s actions. “We should not worry about talking about the election after today. We don’t trust INEC. INEC has shown its hand that it is biassed, So we are going to respond appropriately. We said they are not going to come and monitor.”

Abdullahi explained the context of the ADC leadership dispute. “Nafiu Ubala had resigned as national chairman on May 18, 2025, and that INEC had been formally notified on August 12, 2025. “As at July 17, he was no longer an official of the party. And ILEC knew this.”

He argued that despite legal clarity, INEC recognised factions and used administrative decisions to interfere in opposition politics. “So, recognising him as a faction, knew that ILEC is taking his side, ILEC Is partisan, and they have decided to jump into the race.”

Addressing the alleged orchestration behind these events, Abdullahi explaned. “The most important point today is that all this is part of an orchestration by the ruling party to destabilise. It is very clear. Why is all this suddenly escalating a few days after we received, So, we all know that this is going on.”

He also emphasised that internal party affairs should remain the responsibility of political parties themselves. “The most important point is, it’s not whether the plaintiff’s lawyers, that’s Nafiu Ubala’s lawyers, or ADC legal maths lawyers, who’s writing to INAC. The most important thing is that the court of appeal made a ruling, Status quo until it will be maintained.”

Abdullahi detailed how legal maneuvers were being leveraged politically. “All this points to INEC trying to create a case. Now, if you ask people to get people to register to vote, it’s difficult enough. Now, asking every single person that has a voter’s card to go back to their polling units to revalidate those cards a few months before the election is just a pain and a kill.”

On the party’s internal Organisation, Abdullahi stressed that the ADP had taken steps to ensure continuity. “We have given INEC 21 days notice. They have accepted the notice. So whether they come and continue with our Congresses, we’ll continue with our convention.”

He argued that INEC’s actions were deliberately disruptive. “If you say, oh, the NEC says, let’s discount us, let’s disregard us, it means that Rafi Musu is the chairman. So, the court will not have the same situation when the final acceptance, when ADC according to INEC does not have leadership. So, what INEC has done effectively is to violate the directive of the appeal court, and that is criminal.”

Abdullahi went further to critique INEC’s partisanship in recognising certain factions over others. “The most important point is, it’s not whether the plaintiff’s lawyers, that’s Nafiu Bala’s lawyers, or ADC legal maths lawyers, who’s writing to INEC. The most important thing is that the court of appeal made a ruling, Status quo until it will be maintained.”

He also addressed claims about external influence from the APC, saying, “The most important point today is that all this is part of an orchestration by the ruling party to destabilise. It is very clear, INEC has shown its hand that it is biased, All this points to INEC trying to create a case. We can see our democracy opening into our very eyes. And we’re asking for proof as if we are foreigners. It is very clear what is going on and it should concern everybody.”

In conclusion, Abdullahi warned that Nigeria’s 2027 elections are being threatened by a combination of partisan interference. “We don’t trust INEC. INEC has shown its hand that it is biased The issue is that today, INEC has been bamboozled. INEC has been intimidated. INEC has succumbed to intimidation.”(AriseNews TV)

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