Don’t use partisan academics as returning officers in 2027 – ADC warns INEC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to appoint academics who have openly taken partisan political positions as Returning and Collation Officers for the 2027 general elections.

The party made the call in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The ADC said its demand followed reports that more than 600 senior lecturers from public universities in Northern Nigeria had endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

While acknowledging that academics have the constitutional right to support any political candidate, the party argued that those who publicly endorse a candidate…