Dare Babalola
The founding national chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has raised serious concerns over the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark.
Speaking during a telephone conversation with NEWSTELLERS on Thursday, the former presidential candidate and elder statesman, warned that the development could destabilise Nigeria’s democratic system.
Okorie criticised the electoral body’s action, describing it as troubling and potentially dangerous, especially in the context of Nigeria’s already tense political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC, on Wednesday, struck out the names of David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal as national chairman and secretary of the ADC, respectively.
The move effectively signaled the commission’s withdrawal of recognition from the party’s current leadership, sparking outrage among stakeholders and deepening an ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
The decision has drawn criticism from political actors and analysts, many of whom argue that INEC may have overstepped its constitutional boundaries by intervening in what they describe as the internal affairs of a political party.
Reacting to the development, Okorie said he was alarmed by INEC’s action, despite not being a member of the ADC or actively involved in partisan politics.
“I don’t agree with it. I am not a member of ADC, but I have also formally disengaged from partisanship. However, I am still interested in the survival of our country and our democracy,” he said.
“So I received that news about what INEC did with great concern.”
He stressed that the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that internal party matters are not within the jurisdiction of external bodies like INEC, insisting that such issues are for the courts to decide.
“One basic thing the Supreme Court has established time and time again is that the internal affairs of any political party is the jurisdiction of the courts. In other words, it is not justiciable,” he stated.
Okorie further questioned what he described as inconsistency in INEC’s conduct, pointing out that the commission had previously monitored the ADC convention that produced the current leadership and initially recognised the outcome.
“Everybody knows that ADC had a convention which INEC monitored, where these new leaders were elected. On the basis of that, they went ahead and recognised them, and people began to prepare for elections following INEC guidelines,” he said.
He contrasted this with INEC’s handling of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that the commission had continued to recognise PDP leadership despite ongoing legal disputes.
“If INEC could recognise some weakness in PDP, in spite of the fact that they still have a pending matter at the Supreme Court, and even storm their convention with about 16 officers to show what they call solid recognition, I wonder why they will do the opposite in respect of ADC,” he added.
The elder statesman suggested that INEC’s decision could be perceived as politically motivated, alleging that the commission appeared to be acting in alignment with the interests of the federal government.
“INEC, that should promote democracy in Nigeria, shouldn’t be seen as the lackey of the executive government. But that is exactly what it looks like,” he said.
Okorie warned that the controversy surrounding the ADC leadership has already begun to generate tension across the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, where many politicians are reportedly seeking alternative political platforms.
“That particular action has elicited tension. It is generating tension all over the country, especially in the North,” he said.
He noted that many politicians who left the PDP in search of a “safe haven” in the ADC may now feel politically stranded due to INEC’s decision.
In a strongly worded warning, Okorie said Nigeria risks descending into chaos if institutions continue to act in ways that undermine public confidence.
“Nigeria is drifting dangerously towards anarchy,” he declared.
He referenced an open letter he wrote to President Bola Tinubu two weeks earlier, in which he cautioned against actions capable of triggering widespread instability.
“I captioned that letter, ‘President, stop the brewing anarchy,’ and I listed things that could overwhelm even our security agencies,” he said.
Okorie also lamented what he described as a growing lack of trust in Nigeria’s judiciary and legislature, warning that this could push citizens toward self-help.
“Nobody has confidence in the courts we have today, quite unfortunately,” he said.
“The National Assembly is no more. If there is any word that describes it, it is ‘rubber stamp.’ So we have already endangered our democracy.”
He urged President Tinubu to intervene decisively to prevent the situation from escalating further.
“The President can call all parties to order before things get out of hand,” Okorie said.
He warned against any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, describing such a move as dangerous and self-destructive.
“To want to railroad Nigeria into a one-party state will be very, very suicidal,” he cautioned.
