The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against favouring the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
The council said INEC must remain neutral and ensure that Nigerians who register to vote are able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before election day.
The warning followed INEC’s World Press Conference on Tuesday, with the ADC saying its presidential candidate was prepared for the 2027 election provided the electoral commission guarantees a free, fair and credible process.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council argued that registration figures alone do not show whether citizens will be able to participate in the election.
“Reading out figures of registration is nothing. What matters is the number of cards actually collected by Nigerians. What gives a citizen power on election day is not that his name is in a register somewhere, but that he has his PVC in his hand,” Ologbondiyan said.
The ADC-PCC alleged that bureaucratic delays and other difficulties were affecting PVC collection, particularly in areas considered strongholds of opposition parties.
The council warned that administrative obstacles must not prevent eligible Nigerians from exercising their right to vote.
“We urge INEC to be independent and not take orders from the APC. INEC must remain an unbiased umpire and not operate as an extension of the ruling party,” Ologbondiyan said.
He said the ADC would continue to demand compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act while closely monitoring INEC’s preparations for the election.
“We are carefully watching every step of INEC. Nigerians and the international community do too. The Commission should stay neutral, as no institution should push Nigerians to the wall by compromising the electoral process,” he said.
ADC Demands Changes to PVC Collection
The campaign council also called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to make PVC collection more accessible to registered voters.
It urged the commission to decentralise collection centres to the ward level, extend the hours available for collection and use technology to alert voters when their cards are ready.
The ADC said such measures would help reduce barriers that could prevent eligible voters from obtaining their PVCs before the election.
“INEC’s loyalty must be to the Constitution, not to the APC. The ADC stands with Nigerians in demanding an election where votes count and where the PVC truly becomes the weapon of the people to change their destiny,” Ologbondiyan said.
The council maintained that INEC’s neutrality and effective voter access would be critical to the credibility of the 2027 general election.
