As Nigeria navigates the turbulent waters leading toward the 2027 general elections, the shadows of administrative interference and judicial overreach loom large. The recent leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is not merely a localised party dispute; it is a litmus test for the resilience of our multi-party democracy.

For the opposition to be systematically weakened through selective regulatory recognition is a direct affront to the constitutional right of Nigerians to have diverse political choices.“?The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, now under the leadership of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, must recognise that the clock is ticking.

Under the revised 2027 electoral calendar, political parties have May 10 as deadline to submit their membership registers, and the portal for uploading candidates credentials for the Presidential and National Assembly elections is set to close as early as July 11, 2026. With party primaries scheduled to conclude by May 30, 2026, any delay in resolving leadership questions effectively disenfranchises entire political movements.

If a party cannot verify its executives, it cannot legally nominate its candidates.“?We call upon the Supreme Court to recognise the “extreme urgency” of the ADC case. The apex court must understand that its verdict carries weight far beyond the internal halls of one party. In a climate where opposition forces are alleging attempts to destabilise them, it is imperative our judiciary and INEC are seen to be above board in their pronouncements and actions.

The world is watching. Nigeria’s global image as a leading African democracy depends on a judiciary that rises above petty or selfish interests. The judiciary must put Nigeria first, ensuring its decisions form new reference points of integrity rather than precedents for political strangulation.“Similarly, the burden of proof lies with INEC.

Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, knows better than most that justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done. INEC must offer a level playing field where all parties can sell their programmes without undue official hindrance. It is imperative that the commission conducts its affairs with such transparency that it silences those who accuse its officials of acting as proxies for the ruling APC.“

If the “referee” is suspected of wearing the jersey of one of the players, the game is over before it begins. INEC and the Judiciary must act now to ensure that by the 2026 deadlines, every legitimate political voice has a place on the ballot. Only then can we guarantee a stable, democratic future for all Nigerians.