The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (INEC), Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday, faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to boycott the party’s national convention, describing it as a dereliction of duty.
Aregbesola spoke at the ADC convention held at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja.
The controversy followed INEC’s April 1 decision to withdraw recognition from factions within the party amid an ongoing leadership crisis.
The commission had maintained that it would not engage with any faction, citing a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of suits before the Federal High Court.
However, the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC rejected the stance, accusing INEC of partisanship.
Addressing party members, Aregbesola insisted that the ADC fulfilled all legal requirements ahead of the convention, leaving INEC with no valid reason to stay away.
Aregbesola stated, “We have discharged the responsibility required of us, and at this point, it is the duty of INEC to equally discharge its own constitutionally and lawfully assigned responsibility by attending and monitoring this convention. It’s a duty.
“The decision of INEC to refuse to attend and monitor our convention amounts to a dereliction of duty, bordering on a dangerously partisan outlook aimed at unlawfully delegitimising the otherwise legitimate actions of our party.”
The former Osun State governor argued that under the Electoral Act, a convention can only be invalidated if the electoral body is not duly notified.
He further stated, “The only condition that would warrant a congress or convention of a party to be invalid is contained in Section 82, Subsection 6 of the Electoral Act 2026.
“Failure of a party to notify the commission… shall render the primaries, convention, congress, and congresses invalid.”
He added that the party complied fully with all statutory provisions, including notifying INEC and submitting required documents.
Aregbesola disclosed that the ADC formally communicated its plans to INEC, with the commission acknowledging receipt of its correspondence.
“This is the second letter conveying that. The letter was written by me, signed by the chairman and myself on the 16th, delivered and acknowledged by INEC on the 17th of March. This is it. Media, capture it… so INEC has no hiding place,” he said.
Aregbesola Alleges Attempt To Weaken Opposition
The ADC scribe further accused INEC of acting in a manner that suggests bias against the party.
“Except if INEC, as it has become apparent, is on a voyage to destroy ADC, to pave way for APC to coast to victory without any serious challenge,” he said.
He also criticised the commission’s reliance on the appellate court ruling, arguing that it did not prohibit INEC from monitoring the convention.
“Hiding under the court of appeal… amounts to INEC assuming the role of a court, which it is not,” he added.
Reaffirming the party’s legitimacy, Aregbesola stressed that the ADC remains a registered political party with structures across the country.
He added, “We wish to remind INEC that ADC remains a registered political party… ADC has not been proscribed by any law in Nigeria or court order.
“It therefore has the right to continue to undertake its legitimate functions under the law.
“We are seriously concerned with the attitude of INEC treating the ADC as a party that has been proscribed… It is false, it is wrong, it is unconstitutional, it is bad.”
