The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has justified its decision to withdraw recognition from all factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that its actions were strictly guided by court orders and the need to uphold the rule of law.
In a statement issued Thursday by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, the commission said the move was necessary to avoid a repeat of past electoral crises in states such as Zamfara and Plateau, where elected officials lost their positions for disregarding judicial pronouncements.
The clarification follows criticism from political stakeholders who accused the electoral body of bias and demanded the removal of its chairman over the handling of the ADC leadership dispute.
INEC had earlier announced that it would no longer recognise either the faction led by David Mark or that of Nafiu Bala Gombe, citing a ruling of the Court of Appeal directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum — the condition that existed before the suit was filed at the Federal High Court.
Despite the commission’s position, the Mark-led faction, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained it would proceed with its planned congress and convention.
Responding, INEC stressed that the appellate court’s preservatory orders, alongside ongoing proceedings at the Federal High Court, legally restrained it from recognising or engaging with any faction.
“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory,” the statement reads.
“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party.
“Additionally, it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court.
“The order to maintain status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the beginning of hostilities. It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it.
“Section 287(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the Judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such Judgment.”
The commission also dismissed calls for the removal of its chairman, describing such demands as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional framework is a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” Oketola said.
He added that INEC’s involvement in the ADC dispute remains purely regulatory, stressing that the commission “will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties.”