The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared its intention to initiate legal proceedings against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This action stems from what the party terms a "mischievous" interpretation by INEC of a recent Court of Appeal decision concerning the party's leadership.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday evening, Lawal Tukur-Batagarawa, representing the Katsina State chapter of the ADC, stated that the party's national executives, in conjunction with their legal advisors, have finalized plans to bring the matter before a court with appropriate jurisdiction.
He elaborated that INEC's decision to delist the ADC's leadership from its official records was based on a flawed understanding of the appellate court's directive to preserve the "status quo" pending further judicial review.
Batagarawa characterised INEC's action as "mischievous" and a misrepresentation of the court's ruling, asserting that the judgment did not provide grounds for suspending or removing the party's leadership from the commission's public registry.
According to him, the court's order was meant to maintain the existing situation until further developments, but INEC "erroneously interpreted this directive to mean a suspension of its entire national leadership structure."
He further commented: “The INEC deliberately, consciously, to create mischief and doubt in the minds of people, interpreted the status quo to mean suspending the entire leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress. This is sheer mischief.
“The national headquarters of our party, in consultation with our legal team, deliberated extensively on this matter and came to the conclusion that we are going to challenge this interpretation of INEC in the court of competent jurisdiction. We are sure the interpretation of INEC was mischievous and wrong.”
Despite these developments, Tukur-Batagarawa affirmed the party's resolve to continue with all planned political activities in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
He also announced that the party would proceed with its scheduled congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels, which will culminate in a national convention scheduled for April 14.
He stressed that the decision to press ahead with party activities underscores the ADC's confidence in its legal standing and its commitment to maintaining internal cohesion.
Tukur-Batagarawa reiterated that the ADC's fundamental goal remains to offer a viable political alternative, assuring party members that this current disagreement would not impede its broader strategic objectives.
He urged party members across the nation to remain calm, united, and focused on fortifying the party in readiness for the upcoming 2027 elections.
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