The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention without the commission’s supervision.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, Amupitan said the electoral body’s stance followed existing legal directives.
His comments came as a reaction to the ADC’s planned convention despite INEC’s refusal to recognise the leadership of a faction led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
Amupitan said INEC’s position was not arbitrary but rooted in a subsisting court order, and that parties involved in the disputes had been directed by the court to refrain from taking steps that could jeopardise ongoing proceedings, including organising congresses or conventions tied to the matter.
He noted that the issue of the ADC’s internal processes is already before the court, with a motion seeking to halt such activities still pending determination. As a result, any contrary move could amount to a “breach of judicial directives.”
The INEC chairman further warned of the potential consequences of ignoring court orders, drawing parallels with previous electoral experiences.
He cited the situation in Zamfara state where elections were later nullified by the courts, leading to candidates with fewer votes being declared winners.
He also referenced a similar situation in Plateau state where non-compliance with legal rulings affected electoral outcomes, underscoring the risks political parties face when they act in defiance of court instructions.
While acknowledging that the ADC retains the freedom to make its own decisions, Amupitan emphasised that INEC is unwilling to repeat past mistakes that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
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