Nigerian lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has accused President Bola Tinubu, the judiciary, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of trying to undermine the 2027 general elections.
Farotimi made the allegation in a post shared on 𝕏 on Wednesday night.
He fumed that while the opposition is preparing for an election, the ruling party is preparing for a coronation.
“The opposition is preparing for an election, INEC, the judiciary, and Tinubu are prepping for a coronation,” Farotimi wrote.
Farotimi’s comments came hours after INEC removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively.
The electoral body also said it will not recognise factions within the party or monitor any conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders.
Meanwhile, the ADC has rejected the decision of INEC to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, respectively.
The ADC also accused INEC of acting under pressure from the federal government.
The position of the ADC was made known in a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party alleged that the electoral body acted under pressure from a government panicked by the opposition momentum despite its efforts to destroy all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria.
The party described INEC’s position as contradictory and inconsistent with facts, insisting that it would publicly clarify these issues, while warning that the commission has effectively sided with the government against Nigerians.
The ADC added that it is currently reviewing its options and will announce its next steps soon, urging its members and the public to remain steadfast as events unfold.
The full statement read, “We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling. We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties.
“INEC’s press statement is full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason. We shall clarify these contradictions for all to see. What is clear, however, is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people.
“We are currently reviewing our options, and we shall make these known soon.
“Meanwhile, we call on our members and all Nigerians to remain steadfast as they await further directives.
“Nigeria is rising. ADC is rising.”