The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that its decision to withdraw recognition of factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was guided by the need to uphold the rule of law and comply with a recent court of appeal judgement.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary to INEC chairman Joash Amupitan, said the move was aimed at avoiding situations like those witnessed in Zamfara and Plateau states, where elected officials lost their positions due to failure to comply with court rulings.
The clarification follows criticism from political stakeholders who accused the commission of bias and called for the removal of its chairman over its handling of the ADC leadership dispute.
INEC had earlier announced that it would no longer recognise either the faction led by David Mark or that of Nafiu Bala Gombe, after the court of appeal directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum — the situation before the case was filed at the federal high court.
Earlier on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the Mark-led ADC, said the party would proceed with its congresses and convention despite INEC’s stance on the leadership crisis.
However, Oketola explained that the appellate court’s preservatory orders, alongside ongoing proceedings at the federal high court, prevent 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.”
Responding to calls for the removal of the INEC chairman, Oketola described such demands as unconstitutional and politically driven.
“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 added that INEC’s involvement in the ADC crisis is strictly regulatory and legal, stressing that the commission “will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties.”
He also dismissed concerns over the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, stating that attempts to politicise it are unfounded. According to him, the exercise predates the current leadership and is designed to improve 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 explained that the exercise is not a fresh registration but an audit of existing records 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.
He added that the process will be conducted nationwide in phases, with digital options to ease participation, while assuring stakeholders of transparency.
Oketola noted that INEC remains focused on preparations for the Ekiti and Osun off-cycle elections and “will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias.”