RismadarVoice Reporters, April 3, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fired back at the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over comments warning the party against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention.
In a press statement issued on April 3, 2026, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the INEC Chairman of misinterpreting court directives and acting beyond his constitutional mandate.
The party described INEC’s position as a “wilful distortion” of the Court of Appeal’s order to maintain the status quo, arguing that the directive does not prohibit internal party activities such as congresses and conventions.
According to the ADC, the commission’s interpretation of the court order as a blanket restriction on party operations is “legally flawed” and amounts to an administrative overreach into matters that fall strictly within the jurisdiction of the courts.
The party insisted that internal disputes within a political party do not suspend its constitutional right to function, noting that no court order has expressly barred it from conducting its congresses or convention.
It further accused INEC of attempting to assume powers it does not possess by suggesting that party activities depend on its approval or monitoring.
“INEC’s duty to monitor is statutory and does not determine the validity of a party’s internal processes,” the statement noted, adding that conflating both roles places the commission “above the law.”
The ADC also dismissed comparisons with past judicial precedents, such as the Zamfara case, describing them as inapplicable to its current situation.
Reaffirming its stance, the party maintained that it would proceed with its planned activities in line with its constitution and the Electoral Act, while urging INEC to remain neutral and operate strictly within its legal boundaries.
The development highlights growing tensions between the electoral body and opposition parties over the interpretation of legal directives and the conduct of internal party affairs ahead of future elections.
