ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has broken its silence over the storm surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that its decision to wipe factional leaders from its books was a calculated move to protect the “sanctity of the ballot.”
In a pointed statement released on Thursday, Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, argued that the commission is simply following the script written by the Court of Appeal.
Avoiding the Ghost of Zamfara
The electoral umpire made it clear it has no interest in being the architect of another political catastrophe. By withdrawing recognition of the warring factions—including the high-profile David Mark-led committee—INEC says it is moving to prevent a repeat of the “Zamfara and Plateau scenarios,” where internal party lawlessness led to the judicial sacking of elected officials.
“The commission’s decision was driven by the need to uphold the rule of law and prevent the kind of electoral void we’ve seen in the past,” Oketola stated. “We cannot allow a situation where candidates are fielded by contested leaderships, only to have their victories overturned by tribunals later.”
The Rule of Law or Political Sabotage?
The defense comes as a direct rebuttal to the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who earlier branded INEC’s move as “criminal and contemptuous.” The ADC maintains that the “status quo” ordered by the court should have protected the leadership established during their July 29 NEC meeting.
However, INEC appears to be playing it safe, opting to deal with neither side until the courts provide a final, unambiguous verdict. By de-listing the Mark-led NWC from its portal, the commission claims it is merely hitting the “pause button” to ensure every vote cast for the party in future contests actually counts.
A Nation on Edge
The fallout from this decision is already rippling through the political landscape. From the mass resignations in the Jigawa APC to the fiery sermons of Bishop Oyedepo against “demonic” oppression, the ADC crisis has become a lightning rod for those who fear that institutional “meddling” is a prelude to 2027.
While INEC portrays itself as a neutral arbiter of legal orders, the opposition remains convinced that the commission is being used as a “weapon of mass destabilization.”
For now, the ADC remains a party in limbo—a “headless” entity in the eyes of the regulator—while the legal battle heads for a definitive showdown in the appellate court.
