David Mark accuses electoral body of partisanship, insists party leadership remains lawful

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining Nigeria’s democracy, alleging bias and unlawful interference in the party’s leadership structure.

Addressing a world press conference on Thursday, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said recent actions by INEC amount to a direct attack on democratic freedoms and the multi-party system.

Mark criticised INEC’s April 1 decision to withdraw recognition of the party’s leadership, describing it as a “misinterpretation” of a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo in an ongoing leadership dispute.

He maintained that the ADC leadership inaugurated on July 29, 2025, remains the legitimate authority of the party, insisting there are no valid competing claims.

The former Senate President alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government was behind efforts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the opposition coalition adopted the ADC platform to resist what he described as a growing drift towards authoritarianism and the suppression of political freedoms.

Mark warned that INEC’s actions could undermine the party’s participation in upcoming elections in Osun and Ekiti states, as well as its scheduled congresses and national convention in April.

He called for the immediate resignation or removal of the INEC chairman and national commissioners, saying the commission had lost public confidence and could no longer be trusted to conduct credible elections.

The ADC also urged Nigerians and the international community to take note of what it described as threats to democratic governance, while calling on citizens to defend the country’s democracy.

Despite the controversy, Mark said the party would proceed with its planned activities in line with the law.