The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with a Court of Appeal judgment directing the maintenance of the status quo, following what the party described as due adherence to legal procedures.
Speaking at the INEC headquarters, on Wednesday in Abuja, Dr. Abimiku Monday, Assistant on Strategic Communication to the ADC National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Balagumbe, said the party had formally written to the electoral body through its legal team on March 15 and 27.
According to him, the visit to the Commission was not a substitute for due process but a follow-up to earlier correspondence.
“We are not here because we failed to follow procedure. We have written through our legal team twice. Our presence is to ventilate our concerns and demand our rights,” Monday said.
He emphasised that the party’s primary demand was for INEC to comply with the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed that the “status quo ante bellum” be maintained and to refrain from actions that could undermine the authority of the Court or render the pending proceedings at the Federal High Court nugatory.
This order he said is not merely a recommendation; it is a binding directive that must be adhered to by all parties, including the Independent National Electoral Commission. As stipulated in Section 287(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the decisions of the Court of Appeal are binding on all authorities and individuals.
“Our position is clear. We want INEC to uphold the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” he added.
Responding, an Assistant Director of Security at INEC headquarters, Mohammed Hamma, informed the delegation that the Commission’s Chairman, National Commissioners, and Directors were currently in Lagos attending a workshop.
He assured the group that their submissions would be delivered to the Chairman upon his return.
“If you submit your documents, they will get to him. There is no problem about that,” Hamma said.
He further advised the party to send a small delegation after the Easter break to follow up on their submissions and track progress.
“INEC has nothing to hide. When you come for follow-up, you will be informed of the status of your documents,” he added.
However, the Chief of Staff to the ADC National Chairman, Balasadi, raised concerns over the suggested timeline, noting that the election timetable released by INEC leaves little room for delays.
“Considering the timetable and the urgency attached to this matter, we would appreciate clarity on when the Chairman will be available. Time is of the essence,” he said.
Hamma, however, declined to give a specific date for the Chairman’s return, citing uncertainty in his schedule, but reiterated that the submitted documents would receive due attention.
