The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deepened on Wednesday as the party openly rejected the interpretation of a recent court ruling by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of bowing to political pressure.
In a strongly worded statement released late Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, criticized the electoral commission’s decision to remove the names of key party leaders from its official portal.
According to Abdullahi, the commission’s action does not reflect the true meaning of the ruling delivered by the Court of Appeal and raises serious questions about the neutrality of the electoral body.
The controversy began earlier in the day when INEC announced that it had removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official records as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC respectively.
The electoral body said the decision was taken in compliance with an order of the Court of Appeal directing all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” pending the final resolution of the leadership tussle currently before the courts.
However, the ADC leadership rejected this interpretation, insisting that INEC had misrepresented the intent of the court ruling.
In the statement, Abdullahi alleged that the electoral commission had succumbed to pressure from the government, which he claimed was worried about the growing influence of the party ahead of future political contests.
We reject the interpretation given by INEC to the ruling of the Court of Appeal,” Abdullahi said.
We have long suspected that the commission was under pressure from a government that has become increasingly uneasy about the rising momentum of the ADC despite continuous attempts to weaken opposition parties.”
He further argued that the decision by the commission contained several contradictions and did not reflect the actual circumstances surrounding the leadership dispute.
According to him, the party would soon address what he described as inconsistencies in INEC’s statement.
INEC’s press statement is riddled with contradictions that defy both logic and facts. We will in due course clarify these contradictions for the public to fully understand the situation,” he added.
The crisis within the African Democratic Congress has been building for months following disagreements over the leadership structure of the party.
At the center of the dispute is the recognition of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary.
While one faction of the party insists that the leadership arrangement emerged from a legitimate internal process, another group has challenged the appointments in court, arguing that the procedures leading to the changes violated the party’s constitution.
The disagreement eventually escalated into legal battles, prompting the involvement of the Court of Appeal which ordered that the status quo be maintained while the matter is resolved.
INEC, in response to the court directive, said it had taken steps to ensure compliance by removing the names of the two leaders from its official portal until the courts deliver a final judgment.
The ADC leadership, however, believes that the action by the electoral body goes beyond compliance with a court order and reflects an attempt to undermine the party’s internal processes.
Abdullahi said the commission’s decision effectively shows that it had chosen to align itself with the interests of those in power rather than maintain neutrality.
What is evident from INEC’s action is that the commission has yielded to pressure and has taken sides with the government against the Nigerian people,” he stated.
He warned that such actions could damage public trust in the electoral system if left unaddressed.
The spokesperson argued that the role of the electoral body should be to maintain fairness and independence in all political matters, especially those involving internal disputes within political parties.
Despite the escalating tensions, the party said it was carefully reviewing the situation and would soon announce its next line of action.
According to Abdullahi, the party’s leadership and legal team were currently studying the development in order to determine the most appropriate response.
We are presently reviewing our options and will make our position known in the coming days,” he said.
He also urged members and supporters of the party across the country to remain calm while awaiting further directives from the national leadership.
“We call on our members and all Nigerians who believe in democratic principles to remain steadfast as we continue consultations on the way forward,” the statement said.
Political analysts say the dispute within the African Democratic Congress comes at a time when opposition parties in Nigeria are attempting to strengthen their structures ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The party has recently attracted attention following efforts by some political actors to reposition it as a possible platform for broader opposition cooperation.
Observers believe that the ongoing leadership tussle could affect those plans if not resolved quickly.
Some analysts also warn that prolonged legal battles and internal disagreements could weaken the party’s ability to present itself as a viable alternative in Nigeria’s competitive political landscape.
The accusations leveled against the Independent National Electoral Commission have also sparked debate about the independence of electoral institutions in Nigeria.
Civil society organizations and political observers have repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
They argue that the credibility of democratic institutions depends largely on the perception that such bodies operate without interference or political bias.
Although INEC has not responded directly to the latest allegations from the ADC, the commission has consistently maintained that its actions are guided strictly by legal provisions and court directives.
For now, the final resolution of the dispute rests with the courts.
Legal experts note that the interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling will ultimately be clarified through further judicial proceedings.
Until then, the leadership question within the African Democratic Congress is expected to remain a contentious issue within the party and Nigeria’s wider political space.
As political stakeholders continue to monitor the situation, many believe that how the crisis is resolved could have significant implications not only for the ADC but also for the broader dynamics of opposition politics in the country.
For members of the party and political observers alike, the coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether the internal dispute will be settled through dialogue or prolonged legal confrontation
