ADC chief Dele Momodu claims INEC bias and says party can block Tinubu’s 2027 re‑election

Allegations of ethnic staffing at INEC During an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Dele Momodu, a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asserted that President Bola Tinubu has appointed a disproportionate number of individuals from the Yoruba‑dominant south‑west to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He described the move as an attempt to influence the upcoming 2027 general election and suggested that the composition of the commission undermines its credibility.

Doubts over a free and fair vote Momodu reiterated a broader scepticism about the integrity of the 2027 election under Tinubu’s administration. Citing public sentiment, he claimed that roughly nine out of ten Nigerians would not trust the president to oversee a free and fair poll, a view he said is shared even among some of Tinubu’s supporters. The ADC chieftain also highlighted that the perceived dominance of the president over governors, judges and legislators has created an atmosphere of fear, weakening institutional checks on his power.

ADC’s undisclosed strategy While refusing to reveal details, Momodu insisted that the ADC possesses a concrete plan to stop Tinubu from securing a second term. He compared Tinubu’s current tactics to those he employed to retain the governorship of Lagos State, suggesting that opposition forces are working behind the scenes to counteract similar manoeuvres at the national level. Momodu emphasized that the party will not make its strategy public, but affirmed confidence that it can affect the election outcome.

Yoruba electorate’s role In the same interview, Momodu described the Yoruba electorate as highly engaged and critical of Tinubu, noting that many Yoruba voters supported opposition candidate Adeleke in the past but would not automatically back Tinubu again. He argued that the Yoruba community, alongside citizens from other regions, is suffering under policies he attributes to Tinubu’s administration.

Wider political climate The statements reflect growing concerns among opposition figures about the concentration of power in Tinubu’s government and the perceived erosion of democratic safeguards. Momodu’s comments add to a chorus of criticism that questions the impartiality of INEC and the overall fairness of the forthcoming election, setting the stage for a contested political environment as Nigeria approaches the 2027 polls.