INEC and ADC Locked in Legal Stand-Off Over Party Leadership
A heated dispute has erupted between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), centered on a "status quo" order from the Court of Appeal regarding the party's leadership crisis.
The Core Conflict
The friction began after an interview with INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, who warned that the ADC's planned congresses and national convention could be legally invalid. Amupitan cited a court directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum—interpreted by INEC as a mandate to halt all activities that could preempt a final judicial ruling on the party's internal leadership tussle.
The ADC’s Response: National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi slammed INEC's stance as "democratic suppression." The party argues that:
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INEC is misinterpreting the court order to paralyze party functions.
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Administrative bodies cannot suspend constitutional rights based on "speculative" future outcomes.
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Internal disputes do not legally prevent a party from holding democratic processes.
Political Fallout and External Reactions
The crisis has drawn sharp criticism from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and government officials:
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APC Secretariat: Senator Ajibola Basiru dismissed claims that President Tinubu is attempting to create a one-party state, labeling the ADC's predicament a self-inflicted "legal conundrum" caused by a botched leadership takeover.
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Festus Keyamo (Minister of Aviation): Chided the ADC for using "emotional blackmail," warning that proceeding with congresses could result in the party having no valid candidates for the 2027 elections.
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Dumebi Kachikwu (Former ADC Candidate): Issued a stark warning to 2027 aspirants to avoid the ADC platform, describing it as a "nonstarter" currently trapped in a "legal limbo."
INEC’s Defence
Chairman Amupitan maintains that INEC is remaining neutral to avoid a repeat of past electoral disasters (like the Zamfara precedent), where court orders ignored during primaries led to the wholesale nullification of party victories. He clarified that INEC cannot monitor congresses while an active injunction exists, as doing so would render court proceedings "nugatory."
Current Status: The ADC has vowed to proceed with its convention despite the warnings, while INEC insists it will not recognize any outcomes until the judiciary provides a clear resolution.