Dare Babalola
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that its decision to comply with a recent Court of Appeal judgment on the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was aimed at preventing a recurrence of past electoral crises witnessed in Zamfara and Plateau states.
In a statement issued on Thursday night by the Chief Press Secretary to the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Adedayo Oketola, INEC said its actions were guided strictly by constitutional provisions and the need to uphold the rule of law.
The electoral body also dismissed calls by the ADC for the removal of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, describing such demands as unconstitutional and a threat to the independence of the Commission.
INEC explained that its compliance with the appellate court ruling was necessary to avoid situations where elected officials were later removed by tribunals due to the disregard of pre-election court orders.
“While a political party or group may seek to protect its interests, the Commission chose to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal in order to avert the kind of situation that occurred in Zamfara State and Plateau State, where elected officials were removed by election tribunals on account of disobedience of court judgments,” the statement read.
The Commission further noted that it was also mindful of a preservative order issued by the court, which restrained it from taking actions that could render ongoing proceedings at the Federal High Court ineffective.
“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to take any step that would render processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory,” it added.
Providing context to the dispute, INEC revealed that it had only recognised the leadership of former Senate President David Mark on September 9, 2025—seven days after a suit had already been filed at the Federal High Court by another party.
According to the Commission, the directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum effectively means a return to the leadership structure that existed before the recognition of the Mark-led executive.
“Proceeding to monitor the congresses or convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to disobedience of the court order, especially as the reliefs sought include restraining INEC from monitoring such activities,” the statement said.
INEC stressed that it remains a neutral regulator and will not be drawn into internal disputes within political parties or used as a tool to settle factional conflicts.
“It is either the Commission obeys the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuses to obey it. Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution mandates all authorities to obey and enforce judgments of the Court of Appeal,” it stated.
On allegations of bias and claims that its actions could undermine Nigeria’s multi-party system, INEC maintained that it has continued to expand democratic space through the registration of new political parties.
“Far from undermining the multi-party system, the Commission has actively expanded the democratic space with the recent registration of additional political parties, bringing the total number of active parties to 22,” it said.
The Commission also defended its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, describing it as a necessary administrative step to enhance the integrity of the National Register of Voters.
According to INEC, the exercise will address issues such as multiple registrations, transfers, and deceased persons on the voter roll.
“The proposed nationwide voter revalidation is a professional necessity. It is designed to sanitise the register, which currently contains data spanning from 2011 to 2024. This is not a fresh registration but an administrative audit,” the statement explained.
INEC emphasized that the process would be transparent, inclusive, and not targeted at any region, political party, or demographic group.
“It is a uniform process that will be conducted across all local government areas and polling units, with digital options to ease participation. All stakeholders will be carried along,” it added.
The Commission further disclosed that it is currently focused on preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states scheduled for June and August 2026, respectively.
Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, INEC said it would not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations.
“The Commission remains committed to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, and inclusive. The call for the resignation of the Chairman is therefore misplaced and unwarranted,” the statement concluded.
