ADC Crisis Deepens as Aspirants Petition INEC Over Candidate Substitution

A fresh political storm is brewing inside the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as aggrieved aspirants from six states accuse party leaders of replacing candidates allegedly cleared by the party’s Appeal Committee. With petitions now before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the dispute threatens to test the credibility of the ADC’s internal democracy ahead of the elections.

Why are ADC aspirants petitioning INEC?
Aggrieved African Democratic Congress (ADC) aspirants from Nasarawa, Kogi, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo and Lagos states have petitioned INEC, alleging that candidates affirmed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) Primary Election Appeal Committee were later substituted with other names. The petitioners are demanding the implementation of the committee’s recommendations and recognition of what they describe as the authentic winners of the party primaries.

A new internal crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with aggrieved aspirants from six states accusing the party leadership of altering the outcomes of its primary elections. In a petition submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the aspirants alleged that candidates affirmed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) Primary Election Appeal Committee were unlawfully replaced before names were forwarded to the electoral commission, raising fresh concerns over transparency, internal democracy and the credibility of the party’s nomination process.

A fresh internal crisis is erupting within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as aggrieved aspirants from Nasarawa, Kogi, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo and Lagos states have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the alleged substitution of candidates despite recommendations made by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) Primary Election Appeal Committee.

The petitioners alleged that candidates who were affirmed by the Appeal Committee after reviewing complaints arising from the party’s primary elections were later replaced with other names during the submission of candidates to INEC.

According to the aspirants, the development has cast doubt on the party’s internal democratic process and raised concerns about the credibility of its candidate selection procedures ahead of the elections.

At the centre of the controversy is the report of the NWC Primary Election Appeal Committee, which the petitioners said carried out a thorough review of petitions arising from the party’s primaries across several states.

According to them, the committee recommended the restoration of about 50 candidates it found to have emerged through valid nomination processes.

However, the petitioners alleged that despite establishing the Appeal Committee, the party’s National Chairman has yet to implement many of its recommendations.

They further alleged that two senior aides to the National Chairman—”Mr. CID Mmaduabum,” Special Adviser on Political Matters, and “Mr. Paul Adoko,” Chief of Staff—played significant roles in the controversy surrounding the implementation of the committee’s report.

According to the petitioners, the National Chairman allegedly sidelined the National Working Committee in key decision-making processes and instead relied on appointed aides in matters they believe fall within the statutory responsibilities of the NWC. They also claimed the aides advised against implementing parts of the Appeal Committee’s report because the recommendations allegedly did not favour certain interests.

Furthermore, the aspirants warned that failure to implement the committee’s recommendations and the submission of names allegedly not endorsed by the Appeal Committee could weaken confidence in the party’s internal democratic system and raise broader concerns about the integrity of its candidate nomination process.

One of the cases highlighted in the petition involves the Idemili South State Constituency in Anambra State.

According to the petitioners, Hon. Chiamaka Jessy Okpala was the only aspirant who purchased the ADC nomination form, successfully passed the screening process and participated in the monitored primary election.

They alleged that despite being the sole cleared aspirant and despite the Appeal Committee recommending the restoration of her candidature, her name was substituted with that of another individual who, according to the petition, had earlier sought nomination under the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The petitioners urged INEC to recognise only candidates who emerged through duly conducted primary elections and whose nominations were upheld by the party’s Appeal Committee. They argued that any contrary action could undermine public confidence in political parties’ internal democratic processes and Nigeria’s electoral system.

They further stated: “INEC must not be seen as a collaborator in institutionalising internal party dictatorship,” urging the electoral commission to uphold transparency, fairness and due process in the nomination process.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nor the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition. Efforts to obtain reactions from the National Chairman, Mr. CID Mmaduabum and Mr. Paul Adoko proved futile before press time.

Similarly, concerned ADC stakeholders in Nasarawa State called on Senator David Mark to immediately convene a meeting of the National Working Committee to review, ratify and fully implement the decisions reached by the various Appeal Committees.

According to the stakeholders, respecting the committee’s recommendations would strengthen party unity, minimise prolonged litigation over party nominations and improve the opposition’s chances in the forthcoming general elections.

They warned that unresolved disputes could undermine the party’s preparations and weaken the prospects of the ADC presidential ticket and other candidates.

The stakeholders therefore urged the National Working Committee to uphold the integrity of its appeal process, investigate all allegations of internal sabotage and ensure that only candidates duly affirmed by the Appeal Committee are uploaded to the INEC portal.