ADC Demands INEC Chairman’s Resignation, Alleges Plot to Enforce One-Party State

(L-R) Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; former Osun State Governor
and African Democratic Congress National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; ADC National Chairman,
David Mark; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; and former Rivers State Governor,
Rotimi Amaechi, during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday. Photo Credit: Abdulrahman Zakariyau

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation or dismissal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, accusing him of orchestrating a plot to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

In a strong rebuke of the electoral umpire, the national leadership of the ADC argued that the current INEC administration has lost the moral ground to preside over future elections in the country. The party alleged that the commission’s recent conduct indicates a deliberate attempt to stifle opposition voices and consolidate power for the ruling party.

In a statement issued on [Day] and signed by the party’s leadership, the ADC contended that the credibility of the electoral process has been severely compromised. The party cited the alleged manipulation of electoral technologies, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), during past off-cycle elections as evidence of the commission’s failure.

“The INEC Chairman has failed in his duty to be an impartial arbiter,” the statement read. “There is a calculated agenda to cripple the opposition and enforce a one-party system in Nigeria, which is detrimental to our democratic survival.”

The party further decried what it described as the "systematic disenfranchisement" of voters and the "harassment" of opposition candidates in recent polls. The ADC warned that if the current leadership of INEC is not replaced, the integrity of future general elections, including the 2027 polls, would be in jeopardy.

The ADC urged the National Assembly and international democratic bodies to intervene, stating that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy hinges on a transparent and independent electoral commission.

As of press time, INEC has not issued a direct response to the latest allegations. However, the commission has previously maintained that it remains an unbiased umpire committed to the integrity of the electoral process, often refuting claims of technological manipulation as unfounded.