ADC Slams INEC, Demands Sack of Chairman Over Leadership Dispute

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate removal of Joash Amupitan, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias and misinterpreting a court ruling in its ongoing leadership crisis.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the party’s national chairman, David Mark, said INEC’s actions show it can no longer be trusted, describing the commission as partisan and unlawful.

Mark explained that the dispute stems from a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties, including INEC, to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case at the Federal High Court. He noted that although his legal team challenged the jurisdiction of the lower court, the appeal was dismissed, leaving the directive intact.

He accused lawyers linked to Nafiu Bala of attempting to secure recognition from INEC in a way that distorts the meaning of “status quo,” alleging that the move was backed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties.

Describing the situation as a threat to democracy, Mark said the ADC represents a critical opposition force against what he called growing political suppression.

The ADC chairman further criticised INEC’s April 1 decision to withdraw recognition from both factions, saying it created a false equivalence despite Bala’s alleged resignation from party leadership.

He insisted that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to determine or impose leadership on political parties, adding that its actions have effectively left the ADC without recognised leadership.

Mark also accused the electoral body of contempt of court and undermining the rule of law, concluding that INEC has taken sides in the dispute and can no longer be relied upon as an impartial electoral umpire.