The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments warning the party against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention.
The party described the position of the electoral body as a misinterpretation of a Court of Appeal directive, insisting that the commission was acting beyond its constitutional mandate.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ADC said INEC’s stance amounted to a distortion of the court’s order to maintain the status quo in the ongoing legal dispute within the party.
The party said the commission’s interpretation of the status quo ante bellum doctrine was legally flawed and could not be used to suspend the internal functioning of a political party.
According to the ADC, preservation orders issued by the court are intended to prevent actions that could irreversibly affect the subject of litigation, not to halt democratic activities within a party.
The party maintained that determining the scope of such orders lies strictly within the jurisdiction of the courts, not the electoral commission.
The ADC also rejected claims that conducting its congresses or convention would undermine ongoing legal proceedings.
It argued that internal party activities carried out in line with the party constitution and the Electoral Act do not invalidate or prejudice pending court cases.
The party noted that no court order has explicitly barred it from holding congresses or its national convention.
According to the statement, the existence of internal disputes does not suspend the constitutional rights of a political party to organise and function.
The ADC further accused INEC of overstepping its supervisory role by attempting to halt lawful internal processes within the party.
The party stated that the commission’s responsibility is limited to monitoring party activities once it has been properly notified.
It argued that a party’s decision to proceed with internal processes does not depend on the electoral body’s participation.
The party also dismissed comparisons with previous electoral cases, including the Zamfara political crisis, saying the circumstances were different.
According to the ADC, those cases involved clear breaches of electoral procedures, while its own processes are being conducted in compliance with the law.
The ADC maintained that its right to organise congresses and hold its national convention is constitutionally protected.
The party said it would proceed with its planned activities while complying with all relevant legal provisions.
It also urged the electoral commission to remain neutral and restrict its actions strictly to its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
