By Stephen Simon
Fresh controversy has erupted over preparations for the 2027 general elections as former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias in the handling of the party’s nomination process.
The allegation followed claims by Atiku’s media office that the electoral commission aided attempts to undermine the ADC by allowing confusion over the party’s leadership and the upload of candidates to its nomination portal. The opposition camp argued that the development could threaten confidence in the electoral process if not addressed.
INEC, however, dismissed the allegation, insisting it acted strictly in line with the law and existing court decisions. The commission maintained that it recognised only the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark and issued the nomination portal access code exclusively to that faction. It also stated that the recognised leadership had already uploaded hundreds of candidates for the 2027 elections.
The dispute stems from a leadership crisis within the ADC, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership. While one faction claimed to have uploaded its list of candidates, INEC said no access code was issued to that group and that only submissions from the recognised leadership would be considered.
Political observers said the disagreement highlights the growing legal and political battles already shaping the race to the 2027 general elections. They warned that unresolved disputes within political parties could complicate candidate nominations and increase pre-election litigation in the coming months.
The controversy comes as the electoral commission concludes the nomination process for political parties following an extension of the deadline for candidate submissions. INEC had urged parties to resolve internal issues promptly to ensure compliance with the electoral timetable.
Meanwhile, political stakeholders are expected to keep a close watch on further court proceedings and any additional decisions by INEC, as both are likely to influence the political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls. The latest exchange between the opposition and the electoral umpire is expected to intensify debate over the neutrality of the election management process as preparations gather momentum.
