The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to prevent academics who have openly declared support for political candidates from serving as Returning or Collation Officers during the 2027 general elections.

The party made the call following reports that more than 600 senior lecturers from public universities across Northern Nigeria had endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the development raises concerns about the credibility of the electoral process and possible conflicts of interest.

The party acknowledged that lecturers, like every Nigerian, have the constitutional right to support any candidate. However, it argued that academics who have publicly taken partisan positions should not be involved in determining the outcome of an election involving their preferred candidate.

The ADC also urged INEC to establish clear criteria for disqualifying prospective election officials who have publicly endorsed candidates or participated in partisan political activities.

It further called on the electoral commission to publish the names of proposed Returning and Collation Officers ahead of the election, allowing political parties and members of the public to identify possible conflicts of interest.