The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and transparent ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The council also called on the electoral body to prioritise the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), saying the number of registered voters would have little value if eligible citizens could not obtain their cards.

The ADC-PCC stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, following INEC’s World Press Conference on Tuesday.

The council said its presidential candidate was ready for the 2027 election, provided the process was free, fair, credible and protected from violence and manipulation.

Ologbondiyan said INEC must demonstrate its independence by resisting any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence its decisions.

He argued that publishing voter registration figures would not be enough if registered voters were unable to collect their PVCs.

“Reading out figures of registration is nothing. What matters is the number of cards actually collected by Nigerians. What gives a citizen power on election day is not that his name is in a register somewhere, but that he has his PVC in his hand.”

The council raised concerns about alleged bureaucratic delays and difficulties at PVC collection centres, particularly in areas it described as opposition strongholds.

“We urge INEC to be independent and not take orders from the APC. INEC must remain an unbiased umpire and not operate as an extension of the ruling party,” Ologbondiyan said.

He said the ADC would demand compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act throughout the electoral process.

“The ADC won’t allow anything short of compliance with our electoral laws. We demand full transparency, neutrality and strict adherence to due process from registration to declaration of results.”

The council also said it was monitoring INEC’s activities ahead of the election, adding that Nigerians and the international community were also watching the process.

“We are carefully watching every step of INEC. Nigerians and the international community do too. The Commission should stay neutral, as no institution should push Nigerians to the wall by compromising the electoral process,” he said.

Ologbondiyan further said the 2027 election was being viewed by some Nigerians as an opportunity to change the government through the ballot.

“Let it be clear to INEC that the 2027 general election is not business as usual. Nigerians have endured hardship, hunger and misgovernance under the APC. They see 2027 as an opportunity for a rescue mission.

“Any attempt to rig or tilt the process in favour of the ruling party will be met with lawful and resolute resistance from the people,” he stated.

The ADC-PCC also urged INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to decentralise PVC collection to ward level, extend collection hours and use technology to alert voters when their cards are ready.

Ologbondiyan warned against unequal distribution or delayed release of PVCs, saying such actions could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

“When INEC begins to take dictation from the ruling party, when PVCs are made available in APC strongholds and hidden in opposition areas, then democracy is under threat.

“INEC must not become a political party. It must not write its name in the black book of history as the Commission that set Nigeria ablaze because it chose to serve a party instead of the nation,” he said.

The council encouraged eligible Nigerians, especially first-time voters, to remain engaged and ensure they collect their PVCs.