Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission has defended its decision to withdraw official recognition from rival factions within the African Democratic Congress, saying the action was guided by compliance with a recent Court of Appeal ruling and the need to uphold the rule of law. The move has intensified debates about electoral governance, judicial intervention, and political stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the center of the controversy is a prolonged leadership dispute within the ADC, involving two competing factions. One faction is led by Senator Ralph Okey Nwosu, while the other claims allegiance to national executives aligned with an alternative leadership structure. The dispute escalated into a series of court cases, with the Court of Appeal issuing a ruling that effectively invalidated certain leadership claims for failing to follow statutory processes.
In response, INEC announced that it would no longer accept correspondence from either faction, nor engage with or monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions conducted in the name of the ADC until a final court determination is made. The commission also removed the names of key party leaders from its official portal, placing the party’s organizational structure in limbo. INEC emphasized that the decision was necessary to maintain neutrality and prevent legal contradictions that could compromise candidate nominations and electoral legitimacy.
Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary to INEC chairman Joash Amupitan, explained that conflicting legal submissions and judicial directives made it impossible for the commission to recognize one faction without potentially violating the court order. By suspending recognition of both groups, INEC said it was strictly adhering to the law and would revisit recognition only after the Federal High Court resolves the substantive leadership dispute.
The decision has elicited strong reactions. Supporters of the Nwosu-led faction criticized the move as heavy-handed, arguing that internal party mechanisms had already addressed the leadership dispute and warning that derecognition could disenfranchise party members. Meanwhile, the rival faction praised INEC’s action as necessary and overdue, asserting that it reinforced compliance with the law.
Legal experts note that political parties in Nigeria are required to conduct congresses, primaries, and leadership succession in accordance with their constitutions and statutory provisions. Courts have repeatedly affirmed that once a judicial order is issued, compliance is mandatory. INEC’s recognition process, therefore, aligns with its constitutional duty to ensure that only legally recognized executives are engaged for purposes of nominations and election administration.
Critics, however, argue that INEC’s approach risks undermining internal party democracy by responding solely to a court order without facilitating dialogue or reconciliation between factions. They assert that the commission should provide a transitional mechanism to allow parties to resolve internal conflicts without immediate derecognition, especially in situations where legal and political disputes overlap.
Following INEC’s action, some ADC members have approached the Supreme Court seeking clarification, arguing that the appellate ruling should not have resulted in wholesale removal of party recognition. Others have urged internal dialogue and reconciliation, warning that ongoing litigation and factionalism could weaken the party’s competitiveness in upcoming elections.
INEC has stressed that its decision does not prevent the ADC or any of its factions from contesting elections, provided they operate under a legally recognized executive structure. The commission maintains that its primary obligation is to ensure legal certainty, electoral integrity, and constitutional compliance.
Political analysts highlight that as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, internal cohesion within political parties and adherence to legal frameworks are essential to prevent disruptions in candidate nominations and electoral processes. The ADC’s inability to secure clear legal recognition of its leadership could undermine preparations for upcoming polls, sidelining the party in official processes and affecting its organizational capacity.
The dispute continues to unfold in courts and political forums, with INEC’s stance remaining central to how the situation evolves. The commission’s insistence on enforcing court judgments underscores its determination to uphold the rule of law, even amid controversy and political tension. The outcome will have significant implications not only for the ADC but for opposition politics and electoral administration in Nigeria more broadly.
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