By Suleiman Anyalewechi
A United States of America, USA, advisory and lobbying firm – Von-Batten-Montague – has raised serious concern over the timing and motives behind the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to withdraw recognition from the Senator David Mark-led national leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The Washington DC-based Republican Party-affiliated firm said it is preparing to present a formal report of the curious development both to President Donald Trump’s administration and the USA Congress.
The lobbying firm’s position is coming against the backdrop of INEC’s announcement on Wednesday April 1,2026 of its decision to delist the Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC from its portal on the strength of a subsisting Court of Appeal judgment directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum in relation to the ongoing leadership tussle in the ADC .
A statement from the INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, informed that the decision to withdraw recognition from the two groups-Mark-led NEC and Bala Nafiu Gombe group was to maintain its neutrality and avoid pre-emptying ongoing legal proceedings on the matter.
However, not a few, including the ADC, and several opposition parties are of the view that the electoral umpire is playing a script from the ruling All Progressive Congress,and President Bola Tinubu to shut out dissenting voices from the 2027 polls.
In a statement posted on its official site, Von-Batten-Montague, while expressing deep concern over INEC’s decision , called on President Tinubu to ensure the enthronement of free, fair and credible democratic processes in Africa’s largest democracy .
According to the US lobbying firm, there is the urgent need to ensure that the conduct and outcome of the 2027 general elections are beyond reproach, free from doubt, as well as fully reflective of the will of the majority of Nigerians.
“The Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has withdrawn recognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and suspended all official engagement with the party pending ongoing litigation.
“This action has effectively frozen Nigeria’s main opposition political party at a critical moment as it prepares to compete in the upcoming Nigerian presidential election, raising serious concern about the opposition’s ability to organize and participate fully in the process.
“At a time when Nigerians expect free, fair and credible elections, any development that disrupts political participation creates institutional uncertainty or undermines the perceived index of electoral bodies must be addressed with urgency and transparency.
“Nigeria is not only Africa’s largest democracy, but also a critical strategic partner of the United States in regional security, economic stability and counterterrorism .
“The integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process is, therefore, of direct importance to US interests and global stability.
“Accordingly, the firm will be presenting its concerns to members of the United States Congress and the @realDonalTrump”, Von-Batten-Montague stated.
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