{
  "id": 7346837,
  "title": "Don’t use partisan academics as returning officers in 2027 – ADC warns INEC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/dont-use-partisan-academics-as-returning-officers-in-2027-adc-warns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T15:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/14/dont-use-partisan-academics-as-returning-officers-in-2027-adc-warns-inec/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to refrain from appointing academics with openly partisan political views as Returning and Collation Officers for the 2027 general elections. This warning was issued by Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of ADC, in a statement released on Monday. The ADC's stance follows the revelation that over 600 senior lecturers from universities across Northern Nigeria have publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the upcoming presidential election. While recognizing the constitutional right of academics to support any candidate, ADC contends that those who openly endorse a candidate should not be entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing election results involving that same candidate. The party argues that such a conflict of interest undermines the credibility of the electoral process. ADC emphasizes that university lecturers and vice-chancellors are often appointed by INEC to collate results and declare election winners, and the presence of openly partisan academics in these roles may compromise the neutrality required for a fair election. The party urges INEC to establish clear guidelines disqualifying academics and other election officials with public endorsements, participation in partisan activities, or obvious political affiliations. Additionally, ADC calls for the publication of proposed Returning and Collation Officers' names well before the elections, allowing ample time for political parties and the public to raise any conflict-of-interest concerns. ADC stresses that the credibility of elections relies not only on the voting process but also on the impartiality of those responsible for administering, collating, and declaring the results.",
  "summary": "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 […] Don’t use partisan…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Lecturers endorsing politicians can’t be returning officers – Atiku’s aide to INEC",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/lecturers-endorsing-politicians-cant-be-returning-officers-atikus",
        "published": "2026-09-14T16:34:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Tinubu’s endorsement: Don’t use partisan lecturers for elections, ADC tells INEC",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/tinubus-endorsement-dont-use-partisan-lecturers-for-elections-adc",
        "published": "2026-09-14T19:00:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}