Demola Olarenwaju, the Senior Political Assistant to African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday declared that the party has no hurdle in participating in the forthcoming 2027 election.

In an interview with News Central TV, Olarenwaju said the 2027 presidential election should be decided by Nigerians and not the courts.

“In a normal democratic setting, we don’t expect any hurdles to face, we believe that the path is cleared. When campaign starts, let’s go into the field and let Nigerians know what the candidates have and let them vote for whoever they want.

“The 2027 election should be decided by the ballot and not by the court. It should be decided on the fate of democracy and not by any judicial ruling or judgment and this is what we are proposing to Nigerians that let the rule of law prevail.

“If the ruling party believed that they have performed creditably well to win the next election, then they should allow others go to the field, let the contest play out and let Nigerians vote for whoever they want. If they defeat us that’s fine but if we defeat them, they need to own and say yes we have been defeated and voted out by Nigerians.

“So, we do not expect any further hurdles in anyway. However, I would like to say to Nigerians that ADC will be on the ballot and those who left the party before now in fear of judicial judgments that now is the right time to come back and let’s have a single opposition to face the ruling party because the ruling party.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, at Registration Area centres across Osun State until Friday, July 31, 2026.

The move is coming after complaints from voters and large crowds at distribution centres.

In a statement issued by the Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity, INEC Osun State, Ariyo Rufus, for the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Commission said the extension followed the conclusion of the initial exercise, which commenced on Wednesday, July 22, and was originally scheduled to end on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

According to the Commission, “322,822 Permanent Voter Cards, representing 62 per cent of the available PVCs, were collected during the exercise. The extension would enable more registered voters to obtain their cards before the governorship election.”

The statement said, “Having regard to complaints and large crowds at collection centres as well as other difficulties, the Commission has approved the extension of PVC collection at Registration Areas to Friday 31st July, 2026, to enable more eligible voters to exercise their civic right.”

INEC also announced that PVC collection at the Local Government Area offices would now begin from August 1 and continue until August 7, 2026, replacing the earlier commencement date to accommodate the extension at the Registration Area level.

The Commission urged all registered voters who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards to take advantage of the additional period.

“Concerned Registered Voters are urged to take advantage of this window and collect their Permanent Voter Cards,” it stated.