The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has issued a strong warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its planned congresses and national convention.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Amupitan cautioned that proceeding with such activities without INEC’s supervision—and in defiance of existing court orders—could lead to serious legal consequences, including the nullification of any electoral victory.
The warning follows the party’s decision to move ahead with its convention despite INEC’s refusal to recognise the leadership faction associated with David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
Amupitan stressed that the commission’s stance is not arbitrary but strictly based on a valid court directive. According to him, the court had clearly instructed all parties to avoid taking any action that could interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.
He explained that the issue of whether the party can conduct congresses or conventions is already before the court, with a pending motion seeking to halt such activities yet to be decided.
Drawing from past experiences, the INEC boss warned that ignoring court orders could have far-reaching consequences. He referenced previous cases where election outcomes were overturned, leading to candidates with fewer votes being declared winners.
Citing examples from past elections in Zamfara and Plateau states, Amupitan noted that failure to comply with judicial rulings has, in the past, cost political parties dearly.
While acknowledging that the ADC has the freedom to make its own decisions, he made it clear that INEC is determined to avoid repeating past electoral controversies.
He concluded by reiterating that the commission will continue to act within the law and will not be dragged into actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.