The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of betraying public trust during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. The party described the election outcomes as a significant setback to the country’s democratic progress.
The accusation was made during a high-level meeting between the ADC and the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) in Abuja. Both parties emphasized the urgent need for electoral reforms to restore public confidence and ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
The EU delegation, led by Chief of Mission and Member of the European Parliament Barry Andrews, engaged with ADC leadership as part of a comprehensive review of the 2023 elections. The meeting aimed to identify electoral flaws and propose corrective measures to protect the integrity of future polls.
According to a statement shared via X by ADC National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC delegation was headed by National Chairman Senator David Mark and included prominent leaders such as Liyel Imoke, Emeka Ihedioha, Babachir Lawal, Bolaji Abdullahi, Ibrahim Mani, and Chile Igbawua.
Both parties agreed that the 2023 elections fell short of Nigerian citizens’ expectations. They criticized INEC for failing to uphold transparency during the collation of results, which seriously undermined the credibility of the process.
Specifically, ADC highlighted INEC’s failure to transmit polling unit results to the official Results Viewing Portal in real-time, calling it “a betrayal of public trust and a breach of confidence in the electoral process.”
The party asserted that the final declared results did not align with the votes cast, which frustrated the electorate’s will and weakened faith in Nigeria’s democracy.
Furthermore, ADC criticized the judiciary’s handling of post-election disputes, asserting that courts should not override the people’s right to freely elect their leaders. They argued that judicial interventions have eroded public trust and alienated citizens from governance. The party advocated that genuine disputes be resolved by returning to the electorate through fresh elections rather than judicial rulings.
To prevent future controversies, ADC proposed substantial reforms to the structure of the electoral commission. They recommended that the appointment of the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners no longer be the sole prerogative of the President. Instead, political parties with at least five members in the National Assembly should be empowered to nominate candidates, thereby enhancing the commission’s independence and balance.
Senator David Mark emphasized the need for deep institutional reforms to eliminate partisanship and restore faith in Nigeria’s electoral process. “Democracy thrives when citizens can trust that their votes count and are protected by impartial institutions,” he stated.
The EU-EOM delegation, including EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s electoral reforms and democratic governance. They assured that feedback from political stakeholders would be integrated into their post-election assessment and future recommendations.
Other EU experts involved in the mission included Ralph-Michael Peters, Eirini-Maria Gounari, Maros Gabriel, Laolu Olawumi, Osaro Odemwingie, and Ruben Alba Aguilera.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola concluded, “Only a transparent, fair, and participatory electoral system can rescue Nigeria’s democracy from decline. The people’s votes must once again be made to count.”
He pledged that the ADC would continue collaborating with international partners and civil society to push for constitutional and institutional reforms ensuring fairness, equity, and credibility in Nigeria’s political process.
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