The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, citing concerns that the scheduled date coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
INEC had earlier fixed the elections for Saturday, 21 February 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi explained that the party’s appeal was guided by the need to protect inclusivity in the electoral process.
“This request is made in pursuit of an inclusive electoral process that enables all eligible citizens, irrespective of faith, to fully exercise their constitutional rights without constraint or disadvantage,” Abdullahi said.
The letter to INEC, dated 22 January 2026, was signed by ADC National Chairman Senator David A. B. Mark and National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The party drew INEC’s attention to the fact that the election date falls within the Ramadan fast, which will be observed by a significant portion of the electorate in the FCT.
“Given the profound cultural and religious significance of this period, and in the interest of robust and active participation in the democratic process by all eligible voters, it is necessary to request a reconsideration of the election date,” the letter stated.
The ADC therefore asked INEC to reschedule the elections to a date after Ramadan.
Institutional Engagement
The party stressed that its engagement with INEC was institutional and procedural, noting its readiness to comply with due process.
It requested “guidance on the procedural requirements for submitting a formal application in accordance with the Electoral Act, the Constitution, and the Commission’s guidelines.”
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that electoral legitimacy is enhanced when processes encourage broad participation and reflect sensitivity to social and religious realities.
“As a party committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, the ADC believes that electoral legitimacy is enhanced when processes are designed to encourage broad participation and reflect sensitivity to the social and religious realities of the electorate. The party will continue to advocate for electoral arrangements that put citizens first, respect diversity, and reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions,” the statement concluded.
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