2027: INEC may tack action on ADC next week – Mohammed Haruna

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may consider the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a meeting next week, following the expected return of its chairman from an official engagement.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in a telephone interview.

Haruna was responding to questions on whether the commission had received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment on the ADC leadership dispute.

He said that as of Tuesday night, INEC had yet to receive the certified copy, although it had received the party’s appeal against the judgment and its application for a stay of execution.

“I’m not aware we received the CTC. We still haven’t received it,” Haruna said.

“What we had received was the appeal by ADC and the application for a stay. I think those ones were received. But as for the certified true copy of the judgement, we still haven’t received it,” he added.

Asked when the commission could take a position on the matter after receiving the court document, Haruna said the decision would require a meeting of the commission.

He explained that INEC’s chairman was away on an official engagement and would not be available for the commission’s scheduled meeting.

According to him, the commission usually holds its meetings on Thursdays, although it sometimes convenes on Tuesdays.

Haruna said the chairman was expected to return on Sunday, making Tuesday or Thursday next week possible dates for the commission to meet.

“As soon as he’s back, I’m sure we’ll probably hold a meeting,” he said.

When asked whether the meeting could take place on Tuesday, he replied: “Possibly even Tuesday. Because I think he should be back before then.”

However, the national commissioner cautioned that the proposed dates were not definite, adding that he could not give a firm assurance on when the commission would meet or reach a decision.

His comments indicate that the ADC leadership dispute could be considered by INEC next week, subject to the receipt of the certified judgment and the availability of the commission’s chairman and other members.

ADC members petition NJC, UN, US, ECOWAS

Meanwhile, members of the Forum of ADC Candidates and United Friends for Atiku (UFFA) have petitioned the United States Embassy and the United Nations over alleged bias in the judiciary.

The group, which staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accused the court of delaying the release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment nullifying the National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark.

In a protest letter dated November 10, 2026, the group said it disagreed with the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on November 5 but had decided to challenge it through the courts.

Speaking at the court premises, the group’s coordinator, Audu Aliyu, said the party remained committed to pursuing its grievances through lawful and constitutional means.

He explained that the party’s lawyers had applied for the CTC immediately after the judgment was delivered and made the necessary payment.

Aliyu, however, alleged that despite repeated visits to the court registry, the document had yet to be released as of Tuesday morning.

He further alleged that pressure was being mounted on INEC to act on a judgment that had not been made available to the affected party.

“How can a judgement that has not been made available to the affected party be available to some people, to allegedly pressure INEC into taking action?” he asked.

The group argued that withholding the judgment from the affected party while it was allegedly being used to influence INEC could undermine its constitutional right to appeal.

“Democracy does not die only through military coups. It can also be undermined through administrative delays and the denial of access to justice,” the petition stated.

The group, however, reaffirmed its confidence in the judiciary, insisting that the protest was aimed at defending the rule of law rather than undermining the institution.

Aliyu said the petition was also copied to President Bola Tinubu, the National Judicial Council (NJC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), President of the Court of Appeal, ECOWAS, the United Nations, European Union and the United States embassies.

Stay Connected

Follow Very Nigerian

Get the latest Nigerian news, trending stories and breaking updates directly on WhatsApp.

Join Our Channel →