The African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its national convention in Abuja amid a deepening crisis over its leadership, as party leaders accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining democracy by suspending recognition of the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee in compliance with a court order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a chieftain of the ADC, directly accused INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan of being used to scuttle democracy, claiming the commission’s actions were part of a broader effort to eliminate a strong challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He warned that Nigerians must fight to restore true democracy, echoing past struggles against military rule.
Legal scholar Professor Itse Sagay challenged INEC’s interpretation of the court ruling, arguing that the David Mark-led faction represents the true status quo, having taken over from a previous leadership that voluntarily stepped aside. He contended that maintaining the status quo ante bellum should preserve, not overturn, the existing leadership structure, and suggested INEC’s move may be politically motivated rather than legally sound.
TheCable highlighted a broader pattern in which Nigerian opposition parties face systemic barriers to ballot access, describing what it termed “the mathematics of excluding Nigerian opposition parties from the ballot,” though the full details of its analysis were not accessible due to content protection.
Despite INEC’s decision not to monitor the ADC’s congresses, the party proceeded to hold state-level gatherings and convened its national convention at the Rainbow Event Centre, where party faithful gathered to elect a new National Working Committee, asserting their autonomy in the face of institutional resistance.
Amupitan has faced additional scrutiny from the ADC over alleged partisan activity on social media, including claims of a post supporting the APC during the 2023 general elections, which INEC has denied, insisting on its neutrality.
The ADC leadership has responded by calling for Amupitan’s removal and prosecution, citing bias and unfair treatment, while maintaining that internal party processes will continue regardless of electoral body recognition.
At the convention, Atiku criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that Nigeria’s economy, security, and education have deteriorated under his leadership and urging citizens to demand genuine change.
The unfolding conflict raises questions about the independence of electoral institutions in Nigeria and their role in mediating intra-party disputes, particularly when legal interpretations diverge along partisan lines.
What does “status quo ante bellum” mean in this context?
It refers to the state of affairs before the leadership dispute in the ADC began, which the court ordered INEC to maintain while the case is pending, meaning no changes to the existing leadership structure should be made during litigation.
Why does the ADC reject INEC’s suspension of the David Mark-led leadership?
The ADC, backed by legal scholar Itse Sagay, argues that the David Mark faction is the legitimate status quo because it assumed leadership after the prior leadership voluntarily stepped down, and that overturning it contradicts the court’s order to preserve the pre-dispute state.
What evidence do ADC leaders cite for their claim that INEC is biased?
They point to INEC’s suspension of the David Mark-led leadership despite a court order to maintain the status quo ante bellum, along with allegations — denied by INEC — that Chairman Amupitan made a partisan social media post supporting the APC in 2023.
Is the ADC still holding internal party events despite INEC’s stance?
Yes, the ADC has proceeded to conduct state congresses and held its national convention in Abuja, where party members gathered to elect a new National Working Committee, asserting its right to self-organize.
