The Independent National Electoral Commission has responded to criticism over its handling of the African Democratic Congress leadership dispute, insisting that its role is strictly regulatory and legal, not political.
In a statement on Thursday, the commission defended its decision to withdraw recognition from both factions of the ADC, including the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark and the rival faction allegedly led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The electoral body said its action was guided by a Court of Appeal order and a pending substantive case before the Federal High Court.
Why INEC Derecognised Both ADC Factions
The commission explained that the Court of Appeal had ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum — meaning the situation as it existed before the legal dispute began — while the case continues at the Federal High Court.
Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary to INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, said the commission decided to withdraw recognition from both factions to avoid disobeying the court’s preservatory order.
“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party,” Oketola said.
He added that INEC only accepted and approved the David Mark-led executive on September 9, 2025 — seven days after the matter was already filed at the Federal High Court.
“The order to maintain status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the beginning of hostilities. It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it,” he stated.
INEC Cites Zamfara, Plateau Precedents
The commission said its decision was also driven by the need to prevent a repeat of past electoral disasters.
Oketola noted that in Zamfara and Plateau states, elected officials were removed by election tribunals because political parties and the commission had disobeyed court judgements.
“We did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory,” he said.
The commission argued that Section 287(2) of the Nigerian Constitution mandates every person and authority in the country not only to obey judgements of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such judgements.
INEC Dismisses Calls for Chairman’s Removal
Following INEC’s April 1 announcement, political actors had accused the commission of partisanship and called for the removal of Professor Amupitan as chairman.
Reacting to these demands, Oketola described them as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” he said.
He reiterated that INEC’s role in the ADC crisis is strictly regulatory and legal, adding that the commission “will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties.”
Voter Revalidation Not Political, Says INEC
The commission also responded to concerns surrounding its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise.
Oketola dismissed attempts to politicise the process, stating that the exercise predates the current leadership and is a professional necessity.
“The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters,” he said.
He explained that the exercise is not a fresh registration but an administrative audit of existing data to address issues such as multiple registrations, transfers, and deceased voters.
“It is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration. It is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic,” Oketola added.
According to him, the exercise will be conducted nationwide in phases, with digital options to make participation easier. He assured stakeholders of transparency.
Focus Remains on Ekiti, Osun Elections
Oketola said INEC remains focused on preparations for the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states later this year.
“The commission will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias,” he said.
Background of the ADC Crisis
The ADC leadership dispute began after a National Executive Committee meeting on July 29, 2025, which dissolved the party’s National Working Committee and installed David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Nafiu Bala, one of the officials in the dissolved NWC, had resigned his position on May 17, 2025. However, he approached the court on September 2, 2025, seeking recognition as ADC chairman.
The Court of Appeal subsequently ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, leading to INEC’s April 1 decision to recognise neither faction.
What Happens Next
The ADC has said it will proceed with its congresses starting April 9 and its convention on April 14, with or without INEC’s attendance.
The substantive case remains pending before the Federal High Court, and the leadership dispute is expected to remain unresolved until a final judgement is delivered.
For now, INEC has made it clear that it will not engage with either faction while the court order remains in force.
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