ADC Accuses INEC Chair of Contempt, Insists on Proceeding with Congresses Amid Court Dispute

Party rejects electoral body’s interpretation of Appeal Court order, vows to continue internal processes despite leadership crisis

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By Umar Baba/ 4-4-2926

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, of acting in contempt of court over comments cautioning the party against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention.

In a statement issued Friday by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described INEC’s position as a “wilful distortion” of a subsisting Court of Appeal order directing parties to maintain the status quo.

ADC Rejects INEC Warning

The controversy stems from remarks by the INEC chairman during a television interview, where he warned that conducting congresses could violate existing court orders tied to the party’s internal leadership dispute.

However, the ADC insisted that its constitutional right to organise internal party activities remains intact and has not been suspended by any court.

“The ADC reiterates that its right to organise congresses and hold its national convention is constitutionally guaranteed and has not been lawfully suspended,” the party stated.

Dispute Over ‘Status Quo’ Interpretation

At the heart of the disagreement is the interpretation of the legal doctrine status quo ante bellum, as directed by the appellate court.

The party argued that the order was intended to preserve the subject matter of the litigation—not to halt its internal democratic processes.

“The preservation order is meant to prevent irreversible actions, not to paralyse the functioning of a political party,” the statement said.

ADC further maintained that only the courts—not INEC—have the authority to determine what constitutes the “status quo” in the ongoing dispute.

INEC’s Role Questioned

The party also faulted INEC’s stance that it could not monitor its congresses due to the pending litigation, describing the position as a misunderstanding of its statutory responsibilities.

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According to the ADC, INEC’s role is limited to monitoring party activities upon notification and does not determine the legality of such processes.

“By conflating its monitoring function with the validity of the processes themselves, INEC effectively places itself above the law,” the party argued.

It added that internal disputes are common in democratic systems and do not justify suspending party activities unless explicitly ordered by a competent court.

Background: Leadership Crisis Deepens

The dispute between INEC and the ADC follows an ongoing leadership tussle within the party.

INEC had earlier announced it would not recognise any faction of the party pending the determination of a case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The crisis was triggered after Nafiu Bala challenged the emergence of David Mark as the party’s National President, insisting he should assume leadership following the resignation of former chairman Ralph Nwosu.

An interlocutory appeal filed by Mark’s faction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on March 12, with the court directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the substantive suit.

Standoff Continues

Despite INEC’s position that it will not engage with either faction until the court resolves the matter, the ADC has signalled its readiness to proceed with its congresses and convention.

The standoff underscores growing tensions over electoral oversight, judicial interpretation, and internal party democracy ahead of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.