ADC Defies INEC, Insists On Proceeding With Congresses

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that it will proceed with its nationwide congresses as scheduled, despite the delisting of its leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the party’s timetable, screening of aspirants is slated for April 7, with appeals on April 8, while ward and local government congresses will hold on April 9.

Appeals arising from the local congresses are fixed for April 10, followed by state congresses on April 11 and appeals on April 12.
The exercise will culminate in a national convention on April 14.

In a statement issued on Friday, ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed remarks made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during an interview on ARISE NEWS, where he cautioned the party against proceeding with its congresses, citing possible violations of existing court orders.

The party described the INEC chairman’s position as a “wilful distortion” of the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo, warning that such interpretation could amount to contempt of court.

ADC accused INEC of overstepping its constitutional mandate and attempting to obstruct lawful internal processes, stressing that internal party disputes do not invalidate democratic activities.

The party said it was compelled to respond to the INEC chairman’s comments to correct what it termed “legal and factual misrepresentations.”

It argued that INEC’s reliance on Nigeria’s multi-party system as proof of neutrality fails to address concerns about actions that could undermine opposition parties in practice.

On the interpretation of the Court of Appeal order, the ADC faulted Amupitan’s invocation of the doctrine of status quo, describing it as selective and legally flawed.

The party maintained that preservation orders are meant to prevent irreversible actions affecting litigation, not to halt routine party functions.

The statement further noted that determining the scope of such orders rests exclusively with the courts, not INEC.

The ADC also rejected claims that conducting congresses could render ongoing judicial proceedings nugatory, insisting that internal party activities carried out in line with the law do not prejudice court cases unless expressly prohibited.

It added that no court order has explicitly barred the party from holding congresses or its national convention.

The party said INEC’s duty role, to monitor congresses is statutory and does not determine the validity of such processes, accusing the electoral body of assuming powers beyond its mandate.

The ADC also dismissed INEC’s reference to conflicting communications from factions within the party as justification for inaction, stating that internal disputes are common in democratic systems and do not warrant suspension of party activities.

It described comparisons with the Zamfara scenario during the 2019 elections as misplaced, noting that the circumstances differ significantly.

Reaffirming its position, the ADC said its right to organise congresses and hold a national convention remains constitutionally guaranteed and has not been suspended by any court.

“The ADC will proceed with its activities in full compliance with the law and urges INEC to confine itself strictly to its constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement added.