The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained its decision to withdraw recognition from the factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating that the move was guided by adherence to a recent Court of Appeal judgement and the need to uphold the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission acted to avoid situations similar to past electoral disputes where officials were removed for failing to comply with court rulings.
He referenced cases in Zamfara and Plateau states as examples, noting that INEC must avoid actions that could be interpreted as contempt of court.
The clarification follows criticism from political stakeholders who accused the commission of bias and even called for the removal of its chairman over the handling of the ADC leadership crisis.
On Wednesday, INEC announced it would no longer recognise either the faction led by David Mark or that of Nafiu Bala Gombe, after the appellate court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
However, the ADC’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party would proceed with its congresses and convention despite INEC’s position.
Explaining the commission’s stance, Oketola said the court’s preservatory orders prevented INEC from recognising or engaging any faction.
“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,” he said.
He added that proceeding to monitor any activity of the faction would amount to disobedience of the court’s directive, especially since the case before the court includes a request to restrain INEC from such involvement.
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Oketola further noted that INEC had only approved the David Mark-led executive on 9 September 2025, after the matter had already been filed in 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,” he said.
He stressed that under Section 287(2) of the Constitution, every individual and authority in Nigeria is required to obey and enforce decisions of the Court of Appeal.
Responding to calls for the removal of the INEC chairman, Oketola dismissed 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.
He also clarified that INEC’s involvement in the ADC matter is strictly within its regulatory mandate and that the commission would not interfere in internal party disputes.
On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, Oketola said the initiative was being misrepresented by critics.
He explained that the exercise is part of efforts to improve the credibility of the voter register, which contains data collected over the years.
“The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters,” he said.
Oketola added that the process is not a fresh registration but an audit aimed at correcting 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,” he said.
He assured that the exercise would be conducted nationwide in phases, with digital options to enhance accessibility and transparency, while reaffirming that INEC remains focused on upcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun states.