Ramadan: ADC Writes INEC, Seeks Shift In FCT Council Poll Date

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to request the postponement of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council election.

The election is scheduled for Saturday, 21 February 2026. But the ADC is canvassing a shift in date on account of the coming Ramadan fast. Ramadan will start on February 18 and will end on March 19.

The request is contained in a letter to INEC, dated 22 January 2026, and signed by the ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark and the National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The party drew the attention of the Commission to the fact that the scheduled election date falls within the period of the Ramadan fast, which it said, is likely to be observed by a significant portion of the electorate in the Federal Capital Territory.

The party hinged its request on what it described as “the profound cultural and religious significance of this period, and in the interest of robust and active participation in the democratic process by all eligible voters.”

The ADC appealed to the electoral umpire to consider its by postponing the election date to another date after the Ramadan period.

The letter further emphasised that the request was guided by the need to protect inclusivity in the electoral process, stating that it was made “in pursuit of an inclusive electoral process that enables all eligible citizens, irrespective of faith, to fully exercise their constitutional rights without constraint or disadvantage.”

The ADC also made clear that its engagement with the Commission was institutional and procedural, noting its willingness to comply fully with due process, and requesting “guidance on the procedural requirements for submitting a formal application in accordance with the Electoral Act, the Constitution, and the Commission’s guidelines.”

The ADC said as a party committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, the it believes that electoral legitimacy is enhanced when processes are designed to encourage broad participation and reflect sensitivity to the social and religious realities of the electorate.

It added that the party will continue to advocate for electoral arrangements that put citizens first, respect diversity, and reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions.