ADC Fires Back At INEC, Insists On Congresses, Convention

ADC Fires Back At INEC, Insists On Congresses, Convention

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong rebuttal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following remarks made by its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, during an interview with ARISE News. 

INEC had warned that the ADC’s planned congresses and convention could violate existing court orders, but the party dismissed this as a misrepresentation of judicial directives and an overreach of the commission’s constitutional role.

In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused INEC of distorting the Court of Appeal’s preservation order, which directed parties to maintain the status quo.

The ADC argued that the order was meant to prevent irreversible changes to the subject of litigation, not to suspend the internal democratic processes of political parties. It emphasized that no explicit prohibition against holding congresses or conventions exists, and that INEC’s interpretation amounted to contempt of court.

The party further criticized INEC for conflating its monitoring role with the authority to determine the validity of internal party processes.

According to the ADC, this effectively placed the commission above the law, granting itself veto powers it does not possess. The ADC maintained that internal disputes within the party do not suspend constitutional rights, and that INEC’s responsibility is to remain neutral while allowing due process to unfold.

Rejecting comparisons with past cases such as Zamfara, the ADC insisted that its situation was distinct, as it had not violated any legal requirements. It reaffirmed its constitutional right to organize congresses and hold a national convention, declaring its intention to proceed with these activities in full compliance with the law.

The party urged INEC to confine itself strictly to its statutory mandate and avoid interfering with lawful party governance.

This confrontation underscores the growing tension between INEC and opposition parties, with the ADC framing the dispute as a broader struggle over the freedom of political organizations to function without undue interference