Group passes vote of confidence in INEC Chairman, cautions ADC, others

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria has cautioned political actors against dragging the Independent National Electoral Commission into the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress, describing the dispute as an internal party affair that should not be politicised.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Director of the council, Blessing Akinlosotu, said recent attacks on the electoral body were “unwarranted” and capable of eroding public trust in democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The crisis within the ADC is purely internal, arising from political arrangements entered into in 2025.

“INEC was only joined as a nominal party and has merely complied with a valid judicial directive,” Akinlosotu said.

The ADC has been embroiled in a protracted leadership tussle following a controversial restructuring of its leadership structure last year, which reportedly created divisions between longstanding members of its National Executive Committee and new political entrants.

The dispute eventually spilt into the courts, culminating in a March 12, 2026, judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the party and ordered a return to the status quo that existed before September 2025.

Providing context, the NCSCN said INEC’s subsequent decision to recognise the earlier leadership structure was in strict compliance with the court ruling, not an act of bias or interference.

INEC’s decision is not an act of victimisation but a strict adherence to the Court of Appeal’s directive. The Commission has clear constitutional and statutory powers to regulate political parties and enforce internal democracy,” Akinlosotu stated.

He added that the aggrieved faction’s legal approach contributed to the prolongation of the crisis.

“The decision to challenge jurisdiction at the appellate level instead of addressing the substantive issues at the trial court was a strategic choice by the party faction, not a failure of the Commission,” he said.

The council also raised concerns over what it described as attempts to mobilise protests against INEC, warning that civil society organisations must not be used as tools for partisan battles.

“We have received intelligence regarding attempts to mobilise civil society organisations for protests aimed at blackmailing the Commission.

The civil society space will not be rented for political warfare,” Akinlosotu said.

In a strong endorsement of the electoral body, the NCSCN passed a vote of confidence in the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, citing his commitment to the rule of law and ongoing electoral reforms.

“His refusal to bow to political pressure in the ADC matter underscores his commitment to judicial sanctity and democratic principles,” Akinlosotu said.

He noted that under the current leadership, the Commission has introduced reforms aimed at strengthening the credibility of elections, including the deployment of technology to curb ballot manipulation and enhance transparency.

“Under his leadership, Nigeria is moving away from the era of ballot snatching and result manipulation toward a system where votes truly count,” he added.

The council pointed to recent elections, including the Anambra State governorship poll and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, as signs of gradual improvement, although concerns about vote buying and electoral logistics remain.

The ADC crisis underscores a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s political system, where internal party disputes often escalate into prolonged legal battles, sometimes drawing in institutions like INEC and exposing them to political pressure.

Analysts say such disputes weaken party cohesion and could affect the preparedness of political platforms ahead of major elections, particularly as alignments and coalitions begin to take shape before 2027.

The increasing reliance on the courts to resolve party conflicts has also placed INEC in a delicate position, as it is often required to enforce judicial pronouncements while maintaining neutrality.

While the NCSCN’s intervention reinforces the importance of respecting institutional boundaries, it also highlights growing tensions between political actors and regulatory bodies in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Akinlosotu urged the aggrieved ADC faction to return to the trial court to resolve its grievances, rather than resorting to public pressure.

“To the ADC faction, we advise a return to the trial court to argue their legitimacy,” he said. “To the public, disregard calls for the chairman’s resignation—they are distractions from the Commission’s reform efforts.