ADC Campaign Group Urges INEC to Stay Neutral for 2027 Elections

The Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission against letting political interests influence the 2027 general elections. They said that voter registration numbers won't matter if eligible Nigerians cannot collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

The council also asked INEC to make PVC collection easier by bringing it down to the ward level, extending collection hours, and using technology to alert voters when their cards are ready.

The ADC-PCC shared these requests in a statement on Wednesday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan. This was in response to INEC’s World Press Conference on Tuesday.

Ologbondiyan stated that the success of the 2027 elections hinges on INEC’s independence, transparency, and neutrality during the electoral process.

He mentioned that INEC must ensure every eligible voter who registers has a fair chance to get their PVC before election day.

“This country belongs to all of us. 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.

“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 claimed that red tape and delays at PVC collection points could prevent voters from participating, especially in areas seen as opposition strongholds.

They urged INEC to make sure that administrative processes do not create unequal access to voter cards or stop 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.

The council said their presidential candidate is ready to run in the 2027 election, as long as the electoral process is free, fair, credible, and without violence or manipulation.

They also promised to demand that the Constitution and the Electoral Act are followed throughout the electoral cycle. This includes voter registration, PVC collection, voting, collation, and announcing results.

“The ADC won’t allow anything short of compliance with our electoral laws. We demand full transparency, neutrality, and strict adherence to due process from registration to declaration of results,” the statement said.

The party further claimed that INEC risks losing public trust in the electoral process if voters face unequal access to PVCs.

“When INEC begins to take dictation from the ruling party, when PVCs are made available in APC strongholds and hidden in opposition areas, then democracy is under threat,” Ologbondiyan said.

The council stated they are closely watching INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections. They added that Nigerians and the international democratic community are also observing the process.

They urged INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to quickly take steps to make PVC collection more accessible, especially by moving collection points closer to voters.

The ADC-PCC also encouraged Nigerians, especially first-time voters, not to lose hope due to administrative challenges. They should complete the electoral process and ensure they get their PVCs.

Ologbondiyan said Nigerians have faced tough economic times and see the 2027 elections as a chance to change the country’s direction through their votes.

“Let it be clear to INEC that the 2027 general election is not business as usual. Nigerians have endured hardship, hunger, and misgovernance under the APC. They see 2027 as an opportunity for a rescue mission,” he said.

He warned that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process for the ruling party will be met with lawful and democratic resistance.

The ADC-PCC stated their demand for neutrality goes beyond PVC collection to include the entire election process. They stressed that INEC’s loyalty should be to the Constitution and the Nigerian people, not any political party.