Ex-Minister Dalung lampoons INEC action on promoting one party in Nigeria
By Yakubu Busari
The Former Minister of Sports Youth Development and Plateau State Chapter National Leader of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barr.Solomon Selcap Dalung has fingered the National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) for reducing the commission to serve the interest of the opposition All Progressives Congress ,APC , regime of President Ahmed Tinubu .
He challenged the decision of the INEC for creating acrimony between Nigerian voters as the ADC promise to clinch the forthcoming general election with wider gaps .
Dalung openly challenged the recent actions of the electoral umpire plotting to reduce the country into one party and install Tinubu as the next President jettisoning the electoral act .
He made this known during a press briefing held at the ADC secretariat, Kalwa Shopping Complex along Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos, where party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters drawn across the all 17 LGAs stormed the secretariat.
Dalung described the gathering as unprecedented in Nigeria’s political history.
According to him,the coalition of major political parties were , PDP, APC, SDP, NNPP, YPP, Labour Party, and APGA,as they adopted the ADC platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He disclosed that the alliance was forged after a critical assessment of the nation’s political trajectory, particularly the shrinking space of the opposition in Nigeria politics.
“These are political parties with diverse ideologies that came together under one umbrella with a sole purpose of protecting our democracy,”he said.
Dalung alleged that the current political climax has been defined by serious attempt to weaken the opposition voice through inducement and pressure rather than fair competition.
He warned that such trends, if unchecked, could undermine the integrity of the electoral process, insisting that the coalition would resist any effort to erode democratic values.
Dalung acknowledged that the coalition arrangement initially triggered internal adjustments within the party, including voluntary resignation of some officials to create space for new entrants.
However, he disclosed that the situation has since stabilized, with the party witnessing a surge in membership nationwide,an influx he described as “overwhelming and intimidating.”
Tension escalated as Dalung turned his attention to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the body of actions capable of destabilising democratic institutions.
He faulted the commission over moves affecting ADC’s leadership listing on its portal, arguing that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to interpret court rulings.
He maintained that any ambiguity in judicial pronouncements should be referred back to the courts for clarification, warning against administrative overreach.
Despite the controversy, Dalung announced that the party would proceed with its scheduled congresses beginning April 9th, culminating in a national convention.
Forms for participation, he confirmed, have already been distributed nationwide.
In a defiant tone, he urged members to remain resolute, declaring : “There is no retreat, no surrender.”
Shifting focus to Plateau’s political roadmap, the ADC unveiled its zoning structure aimed at strengthening internal balance ahead of the elections.
The governorship ticket, he said, has been zoned to the Central Zone, while the state party chairmanship is allocated to the Northern Zone.
Dalung called on credible aspirants from the Central Zone to step forward, assuring that the party would field a strong candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge in 2027.
Beyond partisan politics, the briefing took a sobering turn as Dalung addressed the worsening security situation in Plateau State.
He warned that recent attacks have introduced a dangerous dimension to insecurity, stressing that victims are targeted indiscriminately, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political identity.
He urged residents to unite against violence and resist divisive narratives that could further inflame tensions.
The ADC leader also called on the state government to intensify efforts toward protecting lives and property, emphasizing that leadership must translate into visible action.
He concluded by rallying party faithful , elders, women, and youths alike , to remain steadfast and committed to the collective goal of political transformation.
“The struggle will come with resistance,” Dalung said, “but with unity and determination, a new Plateau and a new Nigeria are within reach ,No Retreat, No Surrender’, ADC-Led Mega Coalition Rises In Plateau, Slams INEC, Fixes April 9th Showdown Congresses .
