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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its decision to withdraw recognition of factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and comply with a recent court of appeal judgement was driven by the need to uphold the rule of law.
In a statement on Thursday, Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary (CPS) to Joash Amupitan, the INEC chairman, said the decision was taken to prevent situations like those in Zamfara and Plateau states where elected officials were removed by the election tribunal for disobeying court judgements.
The commission’s clarification comes after criticisms from political actors, who accused INEC of partisanship and called for the removal of its chairman over its handling of the ADC leadership dispute.
The electoral body announced on Wednesday that it would no longer recognise either the David Mark-led faction or that of Nafiu Bala Gombe, after the court of appeal ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, the situation before the suit was filed at the federal high court.
Earlier on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the Mark-led ADC, said the party would go ahead with its congresses and convention despite INEC’s position on its leadership dispute.
However, Oketola said the appellate court’s preservatory orders, along with pending proceedings at the federal high court, restrained the commission from recognising or engaging with any faction of the party.
“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory,” the statement reads.
“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party.
“Additionally, it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court.
“The order to maintain status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the beginning of hostilities. It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it.
“Section 287(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the Judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such Judgment.”
Reacting to calls for the removal of INEC chairman, he said such demands are unconstitutional and politically motivated.”
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” he said.
Oketola said INEC’s role in the ADC crisis is strictly regulatory and legal, adding that the commission “will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties.”
‘VOTER REVALIDATION NOT LINKED TO POLITICS’
He also dismissed concerns surrounding the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, noting that attempts to politicise the process are unfounded.
According to him, the exercise predates the current leadership and is aimed at improving the integrity of Nigeria’s voter register, which contains data collected between 2011 and 2024.
“The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters,” the CPS said.
He added that the exercise is not a fresh registration but an audit of existing data to address issues such as multiple registrations, transfers, and deceased voters.
“It is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration. It is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic,” Oketola said.
According to him, the exercise would be conducted nationwide in phases, with digital options to make participation easier, assuring stakeholders of transparency.
He said INEC remains focused on preparations for the Ekiti and Osun states’ off-cycle elections, and “will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias.”
