ADC rejects INEC's court ruling interpretation in leadership dispute
ADC led by Senator David Mark has rejected INEC's interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling regarding the party's leadership dispute. In a statement on Wednesday evening, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi accused INEC of yielding to political pressure from a government unsettled by ADC's growing influence, ostensibly to weaken opposition parties and promote a one-party system. He described INEC's press release as inconsistent and defying both facts and logic.
Earlier on Wednesday, INEC announced it would cease all correspondences with both the David Mark-led faction and the Rafiu Bala faction, following a review of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12. The commission stated it will no longer monitor ADC meetings or congresses and will remove David Mark's name from its portal until the Federal High Court resolves the substantive suit. This follows a legal challenge by Rafiu Bala, former ADC vice chairman, who contested the establishment of David Mark's caretaker committee.
The clash exposes deepening fractures within Nigeria's opposition camp and raises concerns about INEC's impartiality in handling intra-party disputes. For Nigerians, it highlights how institutional decisions can sway political fortunes and affect electoral competitiveness. As ADC vows to clarify INEC's contradictions and outlines next steps, what are the implications for opposition cohesion and electoral integrity in Nigeria's democracy?