INEC Denies Involvement in ADC Leadership Dispute
Adedayo Akinwale of Abuja
Professor Joash Ampitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has firmly stated that he is not part of any efforts to transform Nigeria into a one-party system. He emphasized that both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act affirm the country’s status as a multi-party democracy.
In an interview with ARISE News Channel on Friday, Ampitan clarified his position, saying, “I will not participate in anyone’s plan to make Nigeria a one-party state.” He recalled that ten political parties competed in the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) regional parliamentary elections, underscoring the diversity of political representation in the country.
Ampitan pointed out the ongoing leadership crisis as a significant threat to Nigeria’s democracy, warning that unaddressed issues might lead to far-reaching consequences. He also mentioned the necessity for prompt resolution of these challenges to avert future complications.
Discussing the situation surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ampitan remarked on the court’s advisement that litigious parties, including notable figure David Mark, should avoid imposing any decisions prior to judicial clarification. He highlighted that any moves made towards a party convention would need to be scrutinized for potential violations of the court’s orders.
“We didn’t just make a decision arbitrarily,” he stated, referencing a court order that implores caution. “There was something that led to this. Don’t take any actions that could invalidate the court process.” He drew parallels to the 2019 elections in Zamfara, where the ruling APC lost its position to the second-placed party due to similar issues.
Ampitan cautioned against premature actions such as holding conventions, reiterating that doing so could lead to complications similar to those experienced in the recent past. He explained that electoral legitimacy could be jeopardized, with the likelihood of court decisions deeming results invalid if orders are ignored. This was notably demonstrated in Plateau State during the last elections, where a court invalidated outcomes, resulting in the candidate with the second-highest votes being declared the winner.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed that the electoral body is not supporting any faction in the ongoing crisis regarding the ADC’s leadership. He maintained that the commission is strictly acting in accordance with court directives, ensuring neutrality in politically charged situations.
