A fresh crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State following allegations of manipulation in the party’s governorship primary election.
One of the aspirants, Princess Islamiyat Abiodun-Oyefusi, has accused the party leadership of allegedly altering the outcome of the May 22, 2026 primary election in favour of fellow aspirant, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
Speaking during a media briefing on behalf of Princess Abiodun-Oyefusi, legal practitioner Mr. Olalekan Ojo alleged that his client secured the majority of valid votes cast during the direct primary election but was denied victory through what he described as a deliberate and coordinated act of electoral fraud.
According to him, despite reports that Mr. Rhodes-Vivour finished third in the contest, the ADC leadership allegedly removed all votes credited to Princess Abiodun-Oyefusi and reassigned them to him before declaring him winner of the exercise.
Barrister Ojo called on the ADC National Working Committee to recognise Princess Abiodun-Oyefusi as the lawful winner of the primary election. He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject any nomination not produced through a transparent and lawful process.
Meanwhile, legal experts disclosed that a suit has already been filed at the Federal High Court seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs over the alleged constitutional and electoral violations.
In her reaction, Princess Islamiyat Abiodun-Oyefusi maintained that she polled over 8,000 votes to defeat the other two aspirants in the contest. She, however, expressed shock that the party allegedly altered the results and declared Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as the candidate.
Princess Abiodun-Oyefusi said such actions undermine confidence in the democratic process, especially among women and young people, urging Nigerians not to remain silent in the face of electoral injustice.
