The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has declared that the party will abide by Nigeria’s electoral rules but will resist any attempt to manipulate the 2027 general elections or prevent the party from fairly participating in the contest.

Mark made the position known on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, when the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development visited the ADC national headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation was led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as part of the Centre’s ongoing engagement with political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Savannah Centre delegation, known as the Council of the Wise, is engaging political actors on the need to promote peaceful participation and credible elections.

Ariwoola urged the ADC leadership to ensure that the party’s candidates, members and supporters comply with the rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and avoid actions capable of contributing to political violence.

Responding, Mark said the ADC was prepared to conduct its political activities within the established rules and its own internal code of conduct.

He stressed that the party’s commitment to following the rules should not be interpreted as willingness to accept electoral manipulation.

Mark said the ADC would seek to promote public confidence in the democratic process while insisting on an electoral environment in which all political parties can compete fairly.

The former Senate President also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to complying with INEC guidelines and the ADC’s Orange Book, which contains its code of conduct and governance principles.

The latest warning comes as political parties and civil society organisations increasingly focus on the credibility of the 2027 elections, with calls for transparency, equal opportunity and strict adherence to electoral laws.

The Savannah Centre has been conducting stakeholder engagements ahead of the polls, with previous meetings also focusing on preventing political violence, hate speech and other actions that could undermine the electoral process.

For the ADC, Mark’s statement represents both a commitment to peaceful participation and a warning that the party intends to challenge any process it believes could undermine its electoral chances.

The party chairman has previously called on Nigerians and ADC supporters to remain vigilant and protect their votes, particularly as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

As the political contest gathers momentum, the emphasis from the ADC leadership is that electoral competition must be based on established rules and that voters should ultimately be allowed to freely determine their preferred leaders.

The Savannah Centre, meanwhile, continues to call on political parties and candidates to prioritise peaceful campaigns and respect for the electoral process as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia