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PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC)
3 APRIL 2026

YOU ARE NOT THE COURT: ADC FIRES BACK AT INEC CHAIRMAN, AMUPITAN
Says INEC Chair Acting in Contempt of Court.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected claims made by the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Friday morning, where he warned that proceeding with its congresses and convention could violate existing court orders. The party described the position of INEC as wilful distortion of the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo, which amounts to contempt of the court.

ADC accused INEC of overstepping its supervisory role and attempting to halt lawful processes, insisting that internal disputes do not suspend democratic functions, while reaffirming its decision to proceed in full compliance with the law.
The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has carefully reviewed the recent interview granted by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, and finds it necessary to respond, in order to correct several legal and factual misrepresentations. While the Commission seeks to present its position as one anchored in law and neutrality, the substance of the Chairman’s own statements reveals a fundamental misapplication of both constitutional principles and judicial directives.

First, the Chairman’s repeated assertion that INEC is merely acting within the confines of a “multi-party constitutional order” is, with respect, a deflection from the central issue. The question before Nigerians is not whether Nigeria remains a multi-party state in theory, but whether the actions of INEC in practice are undermining the ability of opposition parties to freely organize and function. The ADC has not alleged the abolition of multi-party democracy in form; rather, it has raised concerns about actions that, in effect, weaken it. The Chairman’s reliance on the existence of multiple parties as proof of neutrality does not address the specific conduct under scrutiny.

On the issue of the Court of Appeal’s order, the Chairman places heavy reliance on the doctrine of status quo ante bellum, suggesting that it requires a rollback to a particular point in time and a suspension of party activities. This interpretation is both selective and legally flawed. The preservation order, by its nature, is intended to prevent actions that would irreversibly alter the subject matter of litigation, not to paralyze the internal functioning of a political party. The Chairman’s attempt to define the “status quo” by tracing the controversy to internal party developments in July 2025 is an administrative interpretation that INEC is not empowered to make. That determination lies strictly within the jurisdiction of the courts, not the Commission.

Furthermore, the Chairman’s claim that holding congresses or conventions would “render proceedings nugatory” is an overreach. Internal party processes, conducted in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, do not extinguish or prejudice pending judicial proceedings. On the contrary, democratic continuity within a political party is presumed under the law unless expressly restrained by a competent court. No such explicit order prohibiting congresses or conventions has been cited. What exists are general preservation directives, which cannot be expanded into a blanket prohibition on party governance.

The assertion that INEC is restrained from monitoring congresses due to an injunction equally exposes a critical misunderstanding of its role. INEC’s duty to monitor is statutory and triggered upon proper notification. A party’s decision to proceed with its internal processes does not depend on INEC’s participation. By conflating its monitoring function with the validity of the processes themselves, INEC effectively places itself above the law, assuming a veto power it does not possess.

The Chairman also references conflicting communications from different factions within the ADC as justification for inaction. However, the existence of internal disputes does not suspend a political party’s constitutional rights. Indeed, such disputes are commonplace in democratic systems and are routinely resolved without administrative paralysis. INEC’s role is not to arbitrate these disputes or to freeze party activities pending their resolution, but to maintain neutrality and allow due process to run its course.

On the invocation of precedents such as Zamfara, the comparison is misplaced. Those cases involved clear and established failures to comply with mandatory legal requirements for primaries. In contrast, the ADC has demonstrated its commitment to conducting its processes in strict accordance with its constitution and the Electoral Act. Pre-emptively warning of hypothetical judicial consequences, as the Chairman has done, amounts to speculation and cannot serve as a legal basis to restrict lawful party activities.

Finally, while the Chairman frames INEC’s position as one of caution to avoid future judicial invalidation of elections, this reasoning cannot justify present overreach. The law does not permit administrative bodies to curtail constitutional rights on the basis of speculative future outcomes. The proper course is to allow parties to act within the law and for courts to adjudicate disputes as they arise.

In conclusion, the ADC reiterates that its right to organize congresses and hold its national convention is constitutionally guaranteed and has not been lawfully suspended by any court. The interpretation advanced by the INEC Chairman stretches judicial directives beyond their meaning and risks setting a dangerous precedent where regulatory caution becomes a tool for democratic suppression.

The ADC will therefore proceed with its activities in full compliance with the law and urges INEC to confine itself strictly to its constitutional and statutory mandate.

SIGNED:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
ADC National Publicity Secretary

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ADC Demands Immediate Resignation or Sack of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan,

By: Arc. Ugochukwu Onyenobi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally demanded the immediate resignation or removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, citing loss of confidence in the Commission’s leadership.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, former Senate President, David Mark, speaking on behalf of the party, condemned what he described as the “dereggnition” of the ADC and alleged bias by the electoral body in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, the party believes the INEC leadership can no longer be trusted to conduct credible elections, particularly the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” he stated.

The ADC further maintained that it would proceed with its scheduled party activities, asserting that there is no legal provision mandating INEC’s physical presence at internal party functions.

“Let us also make it clear: we are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance a mandatory requirement. We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly.”

The party also called on the international community to closely monitor developments, particularly INEC’s actions of April 1st, which it described as a threat to democratic integrity.

“We urge the international community to recognise the clear threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, and to hold accountable those who are undermining the integrity of the electoral process.”

Concluding the address, the ADC called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively defend democratic values.

“We call on Nigerians to defend our democracy. This is a defining moment. Stand firm. Speak out. Participate. Resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and together, we must protect it.

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Just In: INEC removes David Mark, ADC NWC members' names from portal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a major step in the ongoing leadership cr!*s!s within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a directive from the Court of Appeal.

INEC announced that it will remove the names of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark from its official portal.

This action is to comply strictly with a court order which instructed all parties to maintain the status quo until the case is fully decided.

The cr!s!s within the ADC has seen two rival factions—one led by David Mark and the other by Nafiu Bala Gombe—both laying claim to the party’s leadership.

Due to this dispute, the Court of Appeal ruled that no action should be taken that could influence or pre-empt the final judgment.

INEC also made it clear that it has r£j£*cted requests from the Bala-led faction to be recognised as the party’s leadership, stating that doing so would v!©l@te the court’s directive.

In a further move, the commission has suspended all dealings with both factions of the party.

This means INEC will not monitor or recognise any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by either group until the court gives a final ruling.

The electoral body reaffirmed its neutrality and urged political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general electionsThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a major step in the ongoing leadership cr!*s!s within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a directive from the Court of Appeal.

INEC announced that it will remove the names of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark from its official portal.

This action is to comply strictly with a court order which instructed all parties to maintain the status quo until the case is fully decided.

The cr!s!s within the ADC has seen two rival factions—one led by David Mark and the other by Nafiu Bala Gombe—both laying claim to the party’s leadership.

Due to this dispute, the Court of Appeal ruled that no action should be taken that could influence or pre-empt the final judgment.

INEC also made it clear that it has r£j£*cted requests from the Bala-led faction to be recognised as the party’s leadership, stating that doing so would v!©l@te the court’s directive.

In a further move, the commission has suspended all dealings with both factions of the party.

This means INEC will not monitor or recognise any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by either group until the court gives a final ruling.

The electoral body reaffirmed its neutrality and urged political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.

👉 What this means:

No faction of the ADC is currently recognised by INEC. The party’s leadership remains uncertain until the Supreme Court makes a final decision..

👉 if they intend to make a difference come 2027
They must be united

Something just changed in Nigeria’s political space as INEC takes a surprising action against ADC ahead of the 2027 election. Full details in the comments.

Photo credit: X//

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