April 03, (THEWILL) — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that no court order bars it from holding its scheduled nationwide congresses, dismissing warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reaffirming its determination to proceed with the party’s internal democratic processes.
According to the party’s timetable, the screening of aspirants is slated for April 7, with appeals scheduled for April 8. Ward and local government congresses will hold on April 9, followed by appeals on April 10, state congresses on April 11, and appeals on April 12. The exercise will culminate in a national convention on April 14.
In a statement released on Friday, ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi criticised INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for cautioning the party against proceeding with its congresses, citing possible violations of existing court orders.
The party described the chairman’s position as a “wilful distortion” of the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo and warned that such an interpretation could amount to contempt of court.
The ADC accused INEC of overstepping its constitutional mandate, asserting that internal party disputes do not invalidate lawful democratic activities.
“We are compelled to respond to the INEC chairman’s comments to correct legal and factual misrepresentations”, the statement added.
On the Court of Appeal’s order, the party faulted Amupitan’s invocation of the status quo doctrine, describing it as selective and legally flawed. ADC argued that preservation orders are intended to prevent irreversible actions affecting litigation, not to halt routine party functions, and stressed that the interpretation of such orders rests exclusively with the courts.
The party also rejected claims that conducting congresses could undermine ongoing judicial proceedings, insisting that internal party activities carried out in line with the law do not prejudice court cases unless expressly prohibited. ADC confirmed that no court order has explicitly barred the party from holding congresses or its national convention.
Further criticising INEC, the ADC maintained that the commission’s role is statutory and limited to monitoring congresses, not determining their validity.
The party dismissed references to internal factional disputes as justification for inaction, noting that such disagreements are common in democratic systems and do not warrant suspension of party activities.
Comparisons with the Zamfara State scenario during the 2019 elections were described as misplaced, with the ADC highlighting significant differences in circumstances.
Reaffirming its position, the party declared: “The ADC will proceed with its activities in full compliance with the law and urges INEC to confine itself strictly to its constitutional and statutory mandate.”
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