INEC Must Clarify ADC Leadership Crisis: Ex-Presidential Candidate Demands Transparency, Rejects Backdoor Politics

Toyin Adebayo

ABUJA – A former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately clarify the party’s leadership status and stop looking the other way while an alleged backdoor takeover festers.

“What we will do is clear we’re exploring all options. All options are on the table. INEC remains the regulator of political parties, the courts are the last hope of the common man, and the Nigerian people are our witnesses in what is happening to the ADC,” the ex-flag bearer declared during a media briefing.

He accused certain actors within and outside the party of colluding with individuals in INEC to impose interim chairmen without due process, describing it as an affront to internal democracy.

“A man was announced as interim chairman of our party, and right there on the spot, he was given a membership card. How does that make sense in a democratic society? If you want to come into our party, come through the front door not the back door,” he said.

Recounting the timeline of the crisis, he alleged that some state chapter chairmen were prevented for years from carrying out their duties because “Ralph Umosu, with the active support of some people in INEC, frustrated them.”

According to him, “When their tenures were due to expire, they wrote letters, new chairmen were appointed, and instead of INEC upholding the convention, they looked the other way. Now, we want INEC to tell us plainly is there any chairman in this party or is there a vacuum? If there’s a vacuum, we must convene a proper convention immediately so new leadership can emerge.”

He further reiterated the ADC’s commitment to inclusiveness and openness, saying the party’s handshake logo symbolizes peace and unity.

“We welcome people into the party, but we reject desperate hijackers who think they can smuggle themselves in through the back. Let Nigerians see clearly that our fight is for internal democracy and not selfish ambition,” he added.

On the issue of forming alliances ahead of 2027, the former candidate revealed he turned down a proposed coalition when it became clear the plan was to sideline the South and recycle old faces.

“I asked one question: Since President Tinubu, a Southerner, is in his first term, will the coalition guarantee the South the presidential slot? The immediate answer was, ‘We’re taking our power back.’ That ended it for me. They want to use us for their old games while blocking the South never again,” he stated.

He threw down a public challenge: “Let this so-called coalition make a clear pronouncement that their flag bearer will come from the South then we can talk. But they won’t do it because it’s all engineered to hand power to Atiku Abubakar. That’s a no-go for me.”

Taking aim at Nigeria’s political elite, he warned citizens not to be deceived by the old order’s divide-and-rule tactics of religion and region.

“Tinubu is not my problem, Atiku is not my problem their generation is my problem. They are an old boys’ club, attending each other’s birthday parties while Nigerians suffer. You, the ordinary citizens, are the outsiders they are the insiders,” he charged.

Calling for a more vigilant press, he urged journalists not to misinform the public or downplay the core issues at stake.

“When you report this, remember: I pay my children’s fees myself, I drive myself, I don’t have a convoy. They can’t buy my conscience. They can’t buy your conscience either. So let’s focus on the real fight equity, justice and a seat at the table for every Nigerian,” he concluded.