WorldStage– Some bigwigs of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria’s new opposition party, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State on Thursday, April 2, 2026 united at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja to demand the immediate sack of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Yilwatda Nentawe.
Their call for removal of Nentawe follows INEC’s decision to de-recognise ADC leadership led by National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.
The crisis stems from an internal leadership dispute within the ADC between the David Mark-led faction and a group led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.
Also present at the meeting where the call was made were Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Former Governor of Sokoto State), and Rotimi Amaechi (Former Minister of Transportation).
The leaders are calling for the sack of the INEC Chairman, alleging a deliberate plot to enforce a one-party state by undermining opposition structures.
However, INEC cited a Court of Appeal order (Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026) directing it to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” until a substantive suit at the Federal High Court is resolved.
The electoral commission had previously announced cessation of all official correspondence with the party and stated it would no longer monitor its congresses or conventions until the court delivers a final judgment.
This gathering marks a major step in the “Big Tent” coalition strategy. Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso—who were the top opposition contenders in the 2023 elections—are now using the ADC as a unified platform to challenge the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
