INEC Cautions ADC Over Convention Plans, Warns of Possible Election Nullification

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has issued a strong warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its intention to proceed with planned congresses and a national convention without the commission’s supervision.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, Amupitan cautioned that any move by the party to go ahead in defiance of an existing court order could have serious legal consequences, including the possible nullification of election victories.

His warning follows indications that factions within the party—linked to prominent figures such as David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola—may push ahead with internal processes despite INEC’s refusal to recognise their leadership structure.

Amupitan stressed that the commission’s stance was not arbitrary but based strictly on a valid court directive currently in force.

“So if they are going ahead with their congress, with their convention, it’s left for them to look at it, whether it is in contravention of the court. INEC didn’t just take a decision. We didn’t just wake up one day and took this decision. There was something that led to it. There was an order of court,” he said.

He explained that the court had expressly restrained parties from taking any action that could jeopardise ongoing legal proceedings, noting that the matter of the ADC’s congresses and convention is already before the court.

“Don’t do anything. Don’t take any step that will render any proceeding before the court nugatory,” Amupitan stated.

He further clarified that the issue of conducting party congresses and conventions forms part of the reliefs being sought in the case, with a motion already filed but yet to be determined.

“So, if already they are asking that don’t do any congress, don’t do any convention, it is a relief that is being claimed. And especially they filed a motion for that purpose, that motion has not been determined,” he added.

Drawing from past electoral experiences, the INEC chairman warned that failure to comply with court orders could ultimately cost the party dearly, even after winning elections.

“Let me tell you what happened in Zamfara. It happened in the past. We don’t want to conduct an election without this early warning, and at the end of the day, after you have won, the court again will come and declare the election invalid. And the implication is that the person with the second highest number of vote will be declared the winner,” he said.

He also referenced similar developments in Plateau State, where non-compliance with judicial directives affected election outcomes.

“It happened in Plateau State during the last election… failure to obey the court order has consequences,” Amupitan said.

While acknowledging the party’s autonomy in managing its internal affairs, Amupitan made it clear that the commission would not be drawn into a repeat of past controversies.

“They are at liberty to do whatever they want to do, but INEC do not want to go into this situation again,” he said.