INEC Issues Stern Warning to ADC Amid Ongoing Party Leadership Dispute
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a fresh and emphatic warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) regarding its plans to conduct congresses and a national convention while embroiled in a significant internal leadership crisis. INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, delivered this caution during a televised interview on Arise TV, highlighting the commission's stance is firmly rooted in existing judicial directives rather than discretionary authority.
Court Orders Underpin INEC's Position
Amupitan stressed that INEC's decision to derecognize a specific leadership faction within the ADC—associated with former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola—was not arbitrary. "INEC didn't just wake up one day and take this decision. There was something that led to it. There was an order of court," he explained. He urged the party to carefully consider whether proceeding with their planned activities would contravene these court orders, emphasizing that such actions could render court proceedings ineffective.
The chairman further clarified that the matter of conducting party congresses and conventions is currently under judicial review. "So, if already they are asking that don't do any congress, don't do any convention, it is a relief that is being claimed. And especially they filed a motion for that purpose, that motion has not been determined," Amupitan added, underscoring the legal complexities at play.
Historical Precedents Highlight Electoral Risks
Drawing on past electoral disputes, Amupitan issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of defying court orders. He referenced the Zamfara State case, where election results were invalidated due to non-compliance, leading to the candidate with the second-highest votes being declared winner. "We don't want to conduct an election without this early warning, and at the end of the day, after you have won, the court again will declare the election invalid," he stated.
Similarly, he cited Plateau State as another example where failure to adhere to court directives adversely affected election outcomes during the last electoral cycle. "It happened in Plateau State during the last election... failure to obey the court order has consequences," Amupitan remarked, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation.
INEC Reaffirms Neutrality and Calls for Caution
While acknowledging the ADC's autonomy to make independent decisions, Amupitan made it clear that INEC aims to avoid being entangled in preventable conflicts. "They are at liberty to do whatever they want to do, but INEC do not want to go into this situation again," he concluded. This statement reiterates the commission's commitment to maintaining neutrality and ensuring electoral processes are conducted within the bounds of the law, without being drawn into partisan disputes.
The ongoing crisis within the ADC poses significant challenges for the party's internal cohesion and its preparedness for future elections. INEC's warning serves as a critical reminder of the legal frameworks governing political activities in Nigeria and the importance of adhering to judicial mandates to safeguard electoral integrity.
