The ADC has accused INEC of bias and violating court directives amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the party
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of acting unlawfully and taking sides in its ongoing leadership dispute.
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ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
Abdullahi argued that former party official Nafiu Bala Gombe no longer has legal authority to act on behalf of the party following his resignation and the dissolution of the executive committee he belonged to.
He said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), as the highest organ after the convention, had already taken binding decisions on the leadership structure.
The ADC spokesman also questioned INEC’s decision to recognise actions linked to Bala, insisting the commission was aware of his resignation.
“As at July 17, he was no longer an official of the party, and INEC knew this,” Abdullahi said.
“So what basis is INEC recognising Bala’s action? Recognising Nafiu Bala’s action means INEC is taking a side.”
He further alleged that INEC had ignored a directive from the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo, describing the action as contemptuous.
“What INEC has done effectively is to violate the directive of the appeal court,” he said.
He added that the commission’s conduct amounted to misconduct in the ongoing dispute, accusing it of acting beyond its legal mandate.
DAILY POST reports that the comments follow INEC’s removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC from its official portal.
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INEC has also stated it will not recognise factions within the party and has suspended recognition of all sides pending a court ruling at the Federal High Court.
