The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, that its planned congresses and national convention could violate court orders.
- +ADC to INEC chair: You’re acting in contempt of court
- +…Says party congresses, convention will hold as scheduled
In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described INEC’s position as a “willful distortion” of the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo, warning that such interpretation amounts to overreach.
…Says party congresses, convention will hold as scheduled
In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described INEC’s position as a “willful distortion” of the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo, warning that such interpretation amounts to overreach.
INEC had invalidated the David Mark leadership of the ADC, citing an Appeal Court judgement.
But the ADC accused INEC of exceeding its supervisory role and attempting to halt lawful internal processes, stressing that no court has expressly barred the party from conducting its activities.
The ADC also rejected claims made by the INEC Chairman, Amupitan, during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Friday morning, where he warned that proceeding with its congresses and convention could violate existing court orders.
Reacting to INEC’s reliance on the doctrine of status quo ante bellum, the party said the interpretation is “selective and legally flawed,” noting that preservation orders are meant to protect the subject of litigation, not paralyse party operations.
“The determination of the status quo lies with the courts, not INEC,” the statement said. The ADC added that internal party processes carried out in line with the Electoral Act do not invalidate pending judicial proceedings.
The party also rejected INEC’s claim that monitoring constraints affect the validity of its activities, insisting that its processes remain lawful with or without the Commission’s presence.
While acknowledging internal disagreements, the ADC maintained that such disputes do not suspend its constitutional rights or democratic functions.
The party further described comparisons with past judicial precedents as misplaced and based on speculation.
Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the ADC said it would proceed with its congresses and convention in full compliance with the law, urging INEC to remain within its constitutional mandate.
