IPAC, opposition leaders vow legal showdown as electoral body cites non-compliance with Electoral Act 2026

Tensions between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties escalated on Wednesday after the electoral body formally derecognized a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

INEC said the decision was based on the faction’s failure to comply with provisions of the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026. The move effectively strips the group of its legal authority to organise party primaries or submit candidate lists for the 2027 general elections.

The commission maintained that strict adherence to the updated legal framework is non-negotiable, signaling a tougher regulatory stance as preparations gradually begin for the next electoral cycle.

However, the decision immediately drew sharp criticism from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), deepening an already strained relationship between the electoral body and political stakeholders.

IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, described INEC’s action as a dangerous precedent, accusing the commission of attempting to “hand-pick” opposition parties and undermine democratic pluralism.

“This is not just about one faction of a party; it is about the survival of multi-party democracy in Nigeria,” Dantalle said, warning that the move could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

Leaders across several political parties have also condemned the development, with many signaling their readiness to challenge INEC’s decision in court. They argue that the commission’s interpretation and enforcement of the Electoral Act 2026 may be overly rigid and politically consequential.

The ADC crisis itself has been a subject of internal contention, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s leadership structure. INEC’s intervention could further complicate the dispute while setting a precedent for how similar intra-party conflicts may be handled under the new law.

The standoff could trigger a broader legal and institutional battle between regulators and political actors, with potential implications for the credibility and stability of the 2027 elections.

As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are now on the judiciary, which is expected to play a decisive role in interpreting the Electoral Act 2026 and determining the limits of INEC’s authority in party recognition disputes.