The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political stakeholders to exercise restraint as the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensifies, warning against actions capable of undermining the 2027 election process.
The Commission, in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, and seen by ENigeria Newspaper, stressed its unwavering commitment to remain impartial and unbiased, even as legal battles over the party’s leadership continue.
At the heart of the dispute are competing claims to the party’s top positions, with factions laying claim to the offices of national chairman and secretary. INEC disclosed that it had received multiple correspondences from lawyers representing the opposing sides, including a notice cautioning against the recognition of certain individuals and a separate demand seeking enforcement of a court position.
One of the requests asked the Commission to cease acknowledging Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Chairman and National Secretary, to take their names off the INEC website, and to not correspond with them or attend any of their congresses, conventions, or meetings.
The development follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
Quoting the court, INEC noted: “That the parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.”
Consequently, INEC said it would step back from all engagements relating to the party’s affairs.
“The Commission shall not receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups and will not monitor any meeting, congress or convention until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the statement read.
The Commission also clarified that the names of party officials previously uploaded to its portal after the suit had already been filed would be removed in compliance with the court’s directive to preserve the status quo.
INEC further declined a counter-request seeking immediate recognition of an alternative claimant, insisting instead on allowing the judicial process to run its course. It added that steps would be taken to ensure the matter is heard expeditiously.
The dispute dates back to internal changes within the ADC leadership in 2025, which were contested by a faction that subsequently approached the court. Since then, the crisis has deepened, with both sides pursuing legal and administrative channels to assert control.
Responding to INEC’s position, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, faulted the Commission’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling, describing it as inaccurate and misleading.
Abdullahi alleged that the electoral body’s decision was influenced by external pressure, claiming it was part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition parties and push the country toward a one-party system.
“We do not accept INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgement,” he said, adding that the party had anticipated such a move, which he linked to what he described as growing anxiety within government circles over the ADC’s increasing political traction.
