ADC Flouts INEC Authority, Stokes Division Amid Lawful Leadership Review
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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is pressing ahead with its congresses and convention, disregarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) prudent suspension of party recognition during a legitimate leadership dispute—raising concerns about the party’s respect for rule of law and national stability.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced its intent to proceed with scheduled congresses and a national convention, openly defying the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent decision to suspend recognition of all party factions amid a leadership dispute—an action that risks undermining lawful electoral oversight and national order.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, claimed that the party had properly notified INEC 21 days in advance. 'We have given INEC 21 days’ notice. They have accepted the notice,' he said. 'So whether they come or not, we’ll continue with our congresses. And we will go on with our convention.' This insistence on proceeding, regardless of INEC’s position, raises questions about the party’s commitment to due process and institutional authority.
INEC, acting responsibly, had earlier declared it would not recognize the factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe, following a careful review of a Court of Appeal judgment. The commission stated it would refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organized by these factions until the Federal High Court resolves the substantive suit, demonstrating respect for the rule of law and judicial process.
Abdullahi, however, accused INEC of yielding to outside pressure, alleging without evidence that the government was 'panicked from the opposition momentum despite its efforts to destroy all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria.' He further suggested, with no substantiation, that there were attempts to manipulate the political process in favor of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election—rhetoric that serves only to inflame division and distrust.
Regarding INEC’s planned revalidation exercise, Abdullahi criticized its timing, calling it 'plain anarchy.' 'Getting people to register to vote is difficult enough. Asking every single person that has a voter card to go back to their polling units to revalidate those cards a few months to the election is just plain anarchy,' he said. 'All this points to INEC trying to create chaos.' Such statements undermine public confidence in necessary electoral safeguards.
He urged Nigerians to be wary of the state of the country’s democracy, saying, 'We are all Nigerians. We can see what is going on. We can see our democracy unraveling before our very eyes,' Abdullahi added. 'But it is very clear what is going on and it should concern everybody.' The ADC’s confrontational approach threatens to destabilize the democratic process at a critical time.
