APC urges INEC to deregister ADC over ballot clutter
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary Ajibola Basiru called on INEC on Friday, April 3, to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing the party is “unviable” and clutters ballot papers. In an Arise TV interview monitored by DAILY POST, Basiru said Nigeria doesn’t need “irrelevant” parties on ballots, citing constitutional thresholds for electoral performance that ADC has failed to meet. “We don’t want our ballot papers clustered with irrelevant and unviable political party,” he stated, framing the request as legal compliance rather than political strategy. Basiru dismissed concerns about a one-party state, noting Nigeria still has about 19 parties even if some aren’t viable, and claimed ADC shows “more noise than action.” His call follows former INEC chairman Jega suggesting ADC’s crisis was “engineered” and warning INEC to proceed carefully. INEC holds discretion to deregister parties failing performance criteria, though such actions often trigger court challenges. With the 2027 elections approaching, a reduced ballot could simplify voting but also narrow choices. Does streamlining parties strengthen democracy or limit voter expression?