The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention without the commission’s supervision.
Amupitan issued the warning on Friday during an interview on Arise TV, following indications by the party that it would go ahead with its convention despite INEC’s derecognition of a faction of its leadership associated with former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
He stressed that any such action could carry significant legal consequences, noting that the commission’s position was based on a subsisting court order rather than arbitrary decision-making.
According to him, the court had expressly directed all parties to refrain from taking steps capable of undermining ongoing judicial proceedings. He explained that the issue of conducting congresses and conventions remains subject to litigation, with a motion on the matter yet to be determined.
Amupitan warned that disregarding court orders could invalidate electoral outcomes, citing precedents where non-compliance led to the nullification of victories. He referenced the Zamfara State 2019 election litigation, where court intervention altered the outcome, resulting in candidates with the second-highest votes being declared winners. He also pointed to a similar development during the Plateau State 2023 election disputes, where failure to comply with judicial directives had far-reaching consequences.
While acknowledging the ADC’s right to take internal decisions, the INEC chairman maintained that the commission would not be drawn into a situation that could precipitate another electoral crisis, reiterating the need for strict adherence to due process and the rule of law.
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