2027 Elections: ‘Heaven Will Not Fall If ADC Is Not on Ballot’ — APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to recent claims by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which suggested that directives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could stop it from fielding candidates in upcoming elections.

The APC noted that while democracy thrives on political plurality, it must operate within clearly defined laws and institutional procedures—not emotions, entitlement, or alarmist narratives.

According to the party, INEC, as the constitutionally recognised electoral body, carries out its duties strictly within the law to protect the integrity and credibility of the electoral process. It stressed that compliance with electoral guidelines is mandatory, and any party that fails to meet the requirements must accept the consequences.

The APC pointed out that the ADC’s current situation is not unusual, recalling how it faced similar setbacks in the past. In Zamfara State during the 2019 general elections, the APC was barred from fielding candidates due to invalid primaries, leading to the nullification of its victories by the Supreme Court. In Rivers State, the party was also excluded over internal disputes and flawed nomination processes.

These examples, the APC said, show that no political party is above the law and that compliance cannot be replaced by complaints or public outcry.

The party criticised the ADC for blaming others instead of addressing its internal challenges, describing its issues as self-inflicted. It added that the ADC’s internal divisions and procedural lapses have weakened its credibility and exposed shortcomings in its leadership.

The APC further expressed concern over what it described as a lack of organisation and discipline within the ADC, questioning the capacity of its leaders to effectively manage party affairs or participate meaningfully in the democratic process.

It maintained that it would not accept responsibility for what it called the ADC’s miscalculations, urging the opposition party to take responsibility for its actions.

The party emphasised that the electoral process is bigger than any single political party, noting that failure to appear on the ballot due to non-compliance does not threaten democracy.

It advised political parties to focus on resolving internal issues and adhering to electoral regulations, rather than engaging in public complaints.

Reaffirming its position, the APC stated its commitment to free, fair, and credible elections, urging all stakeholders to act responsibly in ways that strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s democratic system.