The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has openly accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of acting outside the law in the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
The party said the electoral body is taking sides and worsening an already tense internal dispute.
Politics Nigeria reports that the allegation was made on Thursday by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
He spoke at length on the controversy surrounding the party’s leadership and the role INEC has played in recent developments.
Abdullahi insisted that a former party official, Nafiu Bala Gombe, no longer has any legal authority to act for the party.
According to him, Bala’s position became invalid following his resignation, alongside the dissolution of the executive committee he once belonged to.
He explained that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ after the national convention, had already taken binding decisions regarding the leadership structure. He stressed that such decisions should be respected by all parties, including INEC.
The ADC spokesman raised concerns over what he described as selective recognition by INEC. He alleged that despite being aware of Bala’s resignation, the commission continues to acknowledge actions linked to him. This, he said, clearly shows bias and interference in the party’s internal affairs.
Abdullahi also accused the commission of ignoring a standing directive of the Court of Appeal. He described INEC’s conduct as a direct violation of the court’s instruction to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the dispute.
His words: “As at July 17, he was no longer an official of the party, and INEC knew this. So as I was saying, he has no locus.
“It is a settled matter in court that the issue of leadership is wholly and internal affairs of the political parties and the NEC is the next most senior organ of the party, next to the convention.
“The NEC said that the executive that he belonged, even if he said he did not resign, the executive that he belong has been duly dissolved.
“So on what basis is INEC recognizing Bala’s action? Because INEC knew since August 12 that they received a notice of his resignation that he is no longer an official of the party.
“So what basis he being recognized? So recognizing Nafiu Bala’s action means that INEC is taking a side.
“What INEC has done effectively is to violate the directive of the appeal court, and that is criminal.
“If you are talking about contempt, that is what INEC has done. INEC, today, is behaving like a criminal organization. And Amupitan is a chief criminal because what the Court of Appeal said is maintained status quo.”
The controversy follows a recent move by INEC to make changes on its official portal. The commission removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary. This action has further deepened the uncertainty within the party.
INEC also stated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala, who is currently seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.
In addition, the commission announced that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the ADC until a substantive case before the Federal High Court is decided.