The spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has strongly criticised the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-recognise the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark.
In a statement released on Thursday, Abdullahi said the party rejects INEC’s interpretation of a recent Court of Appeal ruling, which the electoral body relied on to justify its action. He described INEC’s position as flawed and full of contradictions.
According to him, the commission’s decision does not reflect the true meaning of the court judgment and goes against both logic and established facts. He added that the party would soon respond in detail to what he called inconsistencies in INEC’s statement.
“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling,” Abdullahi said. “The statement issued by the commission is full of contradictions that do not align with facts or reason. We will clarify these issues for Nigerians to understand.”
The disagreement is the latest development in an ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC. The party has in recent months faced internal disputes over its national leadership, with different factions laying claim to control of its structure. The situation became more complicated after a legal battle that reached the Court of Appeal.
INEC, as Nigeria’s electoral umpire, is responsible for recognising party leadership for the purpose of elections and official dealings. Its decisions often carry significant weight, especially when there are internal disputes within political parties. In this case, the commission’s move to withdraw recognition from the David Mark-led NWC has raised concerns among party members and political observers.
Abdullahi alleged that external pressure influenced INEC’s decision. He claimed that the federal government was uneasy about the growing popularity of the ADC and had taken steps to weaken opposition parties.
“We believe INEC has come under pressure from a government that is worried about the rising momentum of our party,” he said. “Despite efforts to suppress opposition voices, the ADC continues to gain support across the country.”
He further accused the commission of taking sides, stating that its action undermines its independence as an electoral body. According to him, such decisions could weaken public trust in democratic institutions.
INEC has not yet issued a detailed response to these allegations, but in its earlier statement, the commission maintained that its action was based on its understanding of the Court of Appeal judgment. The commission said it was acting within its legal powers and in line with its duty to ensure clarity in party leadership.
The ADC, though not one of Nigeria’s largest parties, has in recent years positioned itself as an alternative platform for politicians and voters seeking options outside the dominant parties. The involvement of high-profile figures like David Mark, a former Senate President, has also brought increased attention to the party.
Abdullahi, however, urged party members and supporters not to lose hope. He called on them to remain calm and await further instructions from the party leadership.
“We are currently reviewing our options and will make our next steps known soon,” he said. “We urge all our members and Nigerians who believe in our vision to remain steadfast.”
The spokesperson ended his statement with a message of optimism, saying the ADC remains strong despite the challenges it faces.
As the situation unfolds, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how both the party and INEC handle the dispute. The outcome could have implications not just for the ADC, but for how similar conflicts are managed in the country’s political system.