RismadarVoice Reporters, April 21, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Legislators Forum has accused senior officials in the presidency of interfering in opposition party matters and ongoing legal disputes, warning that such actions could undermine judicial independence and the neutrality of electoral processes.
The concerns were raised on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by former Bende Federal Constituency lawmaker, Nnenna Elendu, who spoke on behalf of the forum.
Elendu specifically referenced comments allegedly made by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, in relation to internal ADC court cases involving party litigants.
She said the remarks were troubling and suggested more than casual involvement from senior government figures.
“When the Chief of Staff says, ‘we are happy with you, we will support you to triumph in the courts,’ it cannot be dismissed as casual,” Elendu stated. “It was not a slip but an admission of complicity.”
She further argued that repeated signals from top officials indicate possible coordinated interference from the executive branch, raising concerns about overreach into opposition party affairs.
The forum also expressed reservations about the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the body of inconsistent administrative decisions and selective recognition in internal party disputes.
Independent National Electoral Commission, according to Elendu, has taken actions that “raise serious questions about neutrality and institutional independence.”
Elendu maintained that leadership disputes within the ADC remain strictly internal matters governed by the party’s constitution and should not be influenced by external institutions or political actors.
The allegations add to ongoing political tensions between opposition groups and federal authorities, as debates continue over the boundaries of executive influence in party politics and judicial processes.
