The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention without the commission’s supervision.
Amupitan issued the warning during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, stressing that any action taken in defiance of an existing court order could carry serious legal consequences, including the possible invalidation of election outcomes.
The warning follows the party’s indication that it may go ahead with its convention despite INEC’s decision to derecognise a faction of its leadership linked to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
According to the INEC chairman, the commission’s stance is based strictly on a subsisting court directive, not an arbitrary decision. He explained that the court had clearly instructed all parties to maintain the status quo and avoid actions that could undermine ongoing legal proceedings.
He noted that the issue of conducting congresses and conventions is already before the court, with pending motions yet to be determined.
Amupitan warned that ignoring such orders could have far-reaching consequences, citing past electoral cases where non-compliance led to the nullification of victories. He referenced the situation in Zamfara State, where election outcomes were overturned, resulting in candidates with fewer votes being declared winners.
He also pointed to similar developments in Plateau State, emphasising that failure to obey court directives often comes with serious repercussions.
While acknowledging that political parties are free to make their decisions, the INEC boss maintained that the commission would not be drawn into avoidable controversies.
“They are at liberty to act as they wish, but INEC does not want a repeat of past experiences,” he said.
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