Photo: Prof Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman
By: Daniel Kanu
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against proceeding with its scheduled national convention on April 14, warning that defiance of a subsisting court order could jeopardize the party’s future electoral victories.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Amupitan said any action taken in violation of a court directive could have far-reaching legal consequences, including the nullification of electoral wins, drawing parallels with previous judicial interventions in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He specifically referenced the fallout of the 2019 Zamfara governorship election crisis, where the Supreme Court invalidated the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to procedural irregularities in its primaries, ultimately awarding victory to the runner-up. A similar situation, he noted, occurred in Plateau State.
“If they decide to go ahead, let me remind you what happened in Zamfara,” Amupitan said.
“At the end of the day, after you have won, the court will declare the election invalid, and the implication is that the candidate with the second-highest number of votes will be declared the winner.”
INEC had earlier withdrawn recognition of the ADC leadership led by former Senate President David Mark, citing a court order affecting the party’s internal structure.
The electoral body maintained that it is bound by law to comply strictly with judicial pronouncements and cannot validate any party process conducted in defiance of such orders.
However, Mark has rejected INEC’s position, insisting that no valid court order restrains the party from holding its convention.
At a recent press conference, he reaffirmed the party’s determination to proceed with the April 14 gathering, with or without INEC’s endorsement.
The dispute underscores ongoing leadership tensions within the ADC, as well as broader concerns about internal party democracy and compliance with electoral laws ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan emphasized that while political parties are free to manage their affairs, adherence to legal frameworks remains critical to safeguarding their participation in the electoral process.
“Failure to obey a court order has consequences,” he warned. “INEC does not want to be placed in a situation where actions are taken in clear violation of judicial directives. The judgment is clear and unequivocal.”
The development raises fresh uncertainty over the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 polls, as analysts warn that prolonged legal disputes could weaken the party’s standing and affect its ability to field candidates if not resolved promptly.
