The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against any action that could give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) an advantage in the 2027 general elections, demanding equal access to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for all eligible Nigerians.
The campaign council said the neutrality and transparency of INEC would be crucial to the credibility of the 2027 polls, insisting that registration figures would mean little if eligible voters were unable to collect their PVCs before election day.
The ADC-PCC stated this in Abuja in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, following INEC’s World Press Conference.
Ologbondiyan said the ADC presidential candidate remained prepared to participate in the 2027 elections provided INEC guaranteed a free, fair, credible and violence-free process.
He urged the electoral commission to demonstrate its independence by resisting any attempt by any political party to influence its decisions or operations.
“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 expressed concern over alleged bureaucratic bottlenecks and delays at PVC collection centres, particularly in areas it described as opposition strongholds.
The council warned that administrative obstacles, deliberate delays or unequal access to PVCs could disenfranchise eligible voters and undermine confidence in the electoral process.
“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.
He said the ADC would demand strict compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act throughout the electoral process, from voter registration to the declaration of 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,” he said.
‘2027 election not business as usual’
The campaign council said it was closely monitoring INEC’s activities ahead of the elections, adding that Nigerians and the international democratic community were also watching the process.
Ologbondiyan warned that any compromise of the electoral process could further deepen public frustration amid the economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
According to him, many Nigerians see the 2027 election as an opportunity to change the government through the ballot.
“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 added that any attempt to rig the election or manipulate the process in favour of the ruling party would face what he described as lawful and resolute resistance from Nigerians.
The ADC-PCC also warned against unequal distribution or delayed release of PVCs, saying such a situation could undermine the credibility of the elections.
“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 urged INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to decentralise PVC collection to the ward level, extend collection hours and deploy technology to notify voters when their cards were ready for collection.
The demand comes as INEC prepares for nationwide collection of newly issued PVCs from October 9, 2026. The commission said more than 10.7 million new voters were registered during the three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
INEC has also said its officials must remain neutral and professional, stressing that their conduct at local government areas, registration centres and polling units would be critical to public confidence in the 2027 elections.
The ADC-PCC appealed to Nigerians, particularly first-time voters, not to be discouraged by administrative challenges but to participate actively in the electoral process and ensure they collect their PVCs.
Ologbondiyan said the ADC remained committed to an electoral system in which every eligible Nigerian had equal opportunity to vote and every legitimate vote was counted.
“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,” he said.
