The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the list of political parties eligible to participate in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, arguing that parties that fail to meet constitutional and electoral standards should not remain on the ballot.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, made the party’s position known during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, where he outlined what he described as the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process by ensuring compliance with existing laws governing political party registration and participation.
Basiru maintained that the continued existence of political parties that lack electoral viability contributes to unnecessary complications during elections and undermines the effectiveness of Nigeria’s democratic system. According to him, overcrowded ballot papers filled with parties that lack nationwide structure or measurable political influence create confusion for voters and weaken electoral administration.
He emphasized that the APC’s demand should not be interpreted as political intimidation or an attempt to suppress opposition voices, but rather as a call for regulatory enforcement in line with constitutional provisions.
“We’re calling on INEC to deregister the ADC. We don’t want the ballot papers to be clustered with unviable political parties,” Basiru said during the interview.
He explained that the APC, as a political party registered under Nigerian law, considers it its responsibility to draw attention to what it views as lapses in compliance with legal requirements by other parties. He noted that the Nigerian Constitution clearly spells out the conditions under which political parties may retain or lose their registration status.
According to Basiru, parties that repeatedly fail to meet established electoral thresholds should no longer be allowed to participate in national elections. He argued that enforcing these provisions would improve the credibility and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral system.
“First and foremost, the All Progressives Congress is a party registered under Nigerian law, and we are bound to call the attention of all institutions to comply with the law. The APC is not the one that wrote the Nigerian constitution. The Nigerian constitution is very clear,” he stated.
He further argued that political parties that consistently perform poorly in elections or fail to demonstrate meaningful electoral engagement should be deregistered in accordance with constitutional provisions. In his view, allowing such parties to remain active only adds administrative burdens to the electoral process without contributing to democratic competition.
Basiru insisted that INEC possesses both the constitutional authority and institutional responsibility to review the performance of registered political parties and take necessary action where requirements are not met. He said the APC’s call was based on the need to ensure accountability and adherence to electoral guidelines rather than partisan considerations.
“When you have failed to get certain thresholds of electoral sensibility, such a political party should be deregistered. As a political party in a contest, we don’t want our ballot papers to be clustered with irrelevant and unviable political parties,” he added.
The APC National Secretary also disclosed that there are ongoing legal actions seeking the deregistration of certain political parties that allegedly failed to satisfy constitutional benchmarks. He expressed confidence that these court cases would provide further justification for INEC to exercise its regulatory powers ahead of the 2027 elections.
Basiru described the ADC as a party that, in his assessment, generates more public commentary than measurable political action, referring to it as part of what he called a “coalition of confusion.” He argued that political relevance should be determined by tangible electoral performance rather than media presence or political rhetoric.
Despite concerns raised in some quarters that efforts to deregister smaller parties could push Nigeria toward a one-party system, Basiru dismissed such claims, insisting that the country’s democratic space remains open and competitive. He noted that Nigeria currently has about 19 registered political parties, which he said demonstrates the continued existence of political plurality.
According to him, the APC is not threatened by opposition parties but believes that only organizations capable of meeting legal and electoral standards should remain on the ballot. He maintained that strengthening compliance mechanisms would ultimately benefit voters by simplifying electoral choices and enhancing transparency.
Political analysts have long debated the issue of party proliferation in Nigeria, with some arguing that the large number of registered parties complicates election logistics and increases costs, while others contend that multiple parties are essential for broad democratic representation. The issue has periodically resurfaced following past deregistration exercises carried out by INEC, particularly after general elections when the commission reviews party performance.
INEC has, in previous electoral cycles, relied on constitutional provisions allowing it to deregister political parties that fail to win seats in national or state assemblies or do not meet other operational requirements. However, such decisions have often sparked legal challenges and debates over political inclusiveness and democratic rights.
As preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections, Basiru urged the electoral body to take proactive steps to ensure that only compliant and electorally active parties remain eligible to contest. He argued that decisive action now would prevent administrative challenges later and help maintain public confidence in the electoral system.
He concluded by reiterating that the APC’s position is rooted in legal interpretation rather than political rivalry, stressing that adherence to constitutional provisions is essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
INEC has yet to officially respond to the APC’s request, but political observers expect the matter to generate significant debate among stakeholders as discussions around electoral reforms and party regulation continue in the lead-up to the next general elections.
