Defy Court At Your Peril, INEC Tells ADC As Convention Plans Continue

The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has insisted it will proceed with its planned nationwide congresses and national convention slated for April 14, despite a stern warning from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over possible legal consequences.

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The decision comes amid a deepening internal crisis within the party, following INEC’s suspension of recognition of the David Mark-led National Executive Committee (NEC) due to an ongoing leadership dispute currently before the courts.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC on Friday in Abuja,maintained that it had complied with all constitutional and procedural requirements by notifying INEC 21 days ahead of its scheduled activities.
Abdullahi noted that the electoral commission had duly acknowledged receipt of the notice.

However, he stressed that the party would not be deterred by INEC’s current position, even if the commission declines to monitor the planned exercises.

According to him, the ADC remains committed to moving forward with its internal democratic processes, regardless of the uncertainties surrounding the leadership tussle.

INEC, on its part, made its stance clear on Wednesday, citing the pending court case as the basis for its decision not to recognise the current party leadership or supervise its activities.

Speaking on the implications of proceeding under such circumstances, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, warned that defying court orders could have far-reaching consequences.

The INEC chairman who spoke on Arise Television in an interview referenced past political precedents, including cases in Zamfara State and Plateau State, where electoral victories were nullified by the courts due to non-compliance with legal requirements.

Amupitan explained that in such situations, even after a party wins an election, the courts may invalidate the victory and declare the candidate with the second-highest number of votes as the winner.

“Failure to obey court orders has consequences,” he warned, emphasizing that while political parties are free to conduct their affairs, INEC is determined to avoid a repeat of past scenarios where judicial rulings overturned electoral outcomes.