ADC Vows to Contest 2027 Election, Accuses APC of Plotting One-Party State

Nigeria’s opposition landscape is heating up as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) declares it will contest the 2027 general election, despite a growing legal and political battle over its leadership.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to stop recognising the party’s current leadership, insisting the party remains confident of victory in court.

“One thing I can guarantee is that we will contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform,” Abdullahi said, expressing faith in the judiciary to resolve the dispute. He described the party’s legal case as strong, adding that preparations are ongoing regardless of the outcome.

The dispute stems from INEC’s recent move to remove David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its records as ADC national chairman and secretary, citing a court order to maintain the status quo. The decision has triggered a wider crisis within the party and intensified political tensions ahead of 2027.

Abdullahi argued that the ADC followed due process, including notifying INEC of its congresses, and accused the electoral body of inconsistency. He maintained that the party would not be deterred, warning that backing down would amount to abandoning Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

Turning his criticism toward the ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi alleged that the party, under President Bola Tinubu, is working to weaken opposition groups and pave the way for a one-party system. “Nigeria will not become a one-party state in our generation. We will resist it within the law,” he said.

He further claimed that efforts to destabilise opposition parties — including the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP — are part of a broader strategy to ensure Tinubu emerges as the only viable presidential candidate in 2027.

Despite mounting tensions, Abdullahi ruled out any possibility of an election boycott, describing it as counterproductive. “To boycott is to surrender. You make headlines — then what?” he asked, stressing that the ADC intends to remain in the race.

The party, adopted as a coalition platform in 2025, has attracted high-profile political figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, positioning itself as a major challenger in the next election cycle.