Nigeria’s electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has issued a strong warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), cautioning against going ahead with its planned convention amid an ongoing court dispute.
INEC made it clear that any faction that proceeds with a convention in defiance of court orders risks disqualification, escalating tensions in the party’s deepening leadership crisis.
The warning follows a Court of Appeal ruling directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case at the Federal High Court.
The commission also stressed that it will not recognise or monitor any convention, congress, or meeting organised by any faction of the party until the legal battle is resolved.
This development comes amid a fierce leadership tussle within the ADC, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s structure—prompting legal battles and intervention by the courts.
INEC insists its actions are strictly in line with judicial orders, warning political actors against any move that could undermine ongoing legal proceedings or the integrity of the electoral process.
The crisis signals rising political tension as parties begin early positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
