HAPPENING NOW: APC Under Fire as ADC Ridicules Election Data Amid Primaries

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According to report by Vanguard on Monday, May 25, 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commenced its presidential primary election with strong criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it will not manipulate figures or “inflate votes from small numbers to exaggerated totals ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

The party made the remarks as voting began nationwide, presenting its process as a model of internal democracy in contrast to what it described as closed-door candidate selection in other parties.

At the Abuja event, officials including Chief Ikechi Emenike, Bolaji Abdullahi, and Chinedu Idigo highlighted that the presidential race features prominent contenders such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Emenike said the ADC remained committed to transparent counting and would not manipulate results, insisting that delegates are voting freely and figures would reflect actual outcomes without artificial inflation.

Abdullahi added that the ADC was the only party currently conducting a genuinely competitive presidential primary, where no aspirant can be certain of victory beforehand.

He also dismissed reports of a rival faction allegedly presenting Dumebi Kachikwu as candidate, stressing that due process and INEC guidelines must be followed for legitimacy.

The party maintained that its leadership structure had been affirmed by the Supreme Court, recognizing David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola in their roles.

It also stated that it has about 3,444,000 registered members, a figure it says can be verified with INEC, unlike what it called exaggerated membership claims by the APC ahead of 2027.

The ADC further accused the APC of setting the stage for electoral manipulation through inflated membership figures, arguing that such claims are misleading and politically motivated.

Electoral officials also said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been duly notified and was observing the ongoing primaries across the country to ensure compliance with regulations and ensure transparent electoral credibility nationwide process.