Politics

ADC convention: INEC lacks power to decide leadership – Legal expert, party stakeholders

Published

2 months ago

April 15, 2026

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A legal practitioner, Nura Ahmad Muhammad, has stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no constitutional authority to determine the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as internal disputes within political parties remain matters for judicial resolution.

Speaking to DAILY POST, Muhammad described the ongoing leadership tussle within the ADC as a common occurrence in political organisations, stressing that such conflicts are typically resolved through party constitutions, although varying interpretations often lead to prolonged legal battles.

“This kind of crisis within political parties is not new. When disputes arise, parties usually rely on their constitution for resolution, but differing interpretations often make this difficult, which is why such matters end up in court for proper clarification,” he said.

He emphasised that since the dispute is already before the court, all factions must maintain the status quo pending a final judgment.

“Now that the case is in court, all parties must maintain the status quo, and no one should lay claim to leadership until a final judgment is delivered. INEC does not have the authority to decide who leads a political party; it can only act in line with the court’s decision,” he added.

Muhammad referenced constitutional provisions, including Section 223(1) and Section 83(1) of the Electoral Act, noting that INEC’s role is limited to oversight rather than intervention in party leadership disputes.

The crisis has seen rival factions aligned with David Mark and Nafiu Bala both laying claim to the party’s leadership, prompting legal action to settle the dispute.

Recall that former Labour Party presidential candidate and ADC chieftain , Peter Obi, had earlier criticised INEC’s handling of the situation, particularly its decision to withdraw recognition from the faction led by Mark.

“Somebody is pushing this,” Obi said during an interview on Arise Tv, suggesting possible external interference in the commission’s actions.

At the grassroots level, discontent continues to grow among party members.

An ADC member in Kano, Comrade Kabir Sani Mai Kwanuka, accused some party leaders of collaborating with the ruling party to weaken the ADC.

“It is only when the wall cracks that the lizard finds a place to enter. We created the opening ourselves. If this continues, the party has no future,” he said.

He further stressed the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic system, citing past political transitions.

“In 2007, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo attempted to extend his tenure but failed. In 2015, Goodluck Jonathan lost an election as an incumbent and accepted the outcome. No one can suppress democracy in Nigeria; it is bigger than any individual,” he added.

Efforts to obtain fresh comments from the Bala-led faction were unsuccessful. However, Bala had earlier maintained in separate media engagements that he remains the legitimate leader of the party.

ADC holds convention amid controversy

The crisis continues as the faction loyal to Mark held its national convention on Tuesday, despite uncertainty surrounding its recognition by INEC.

The party, during the convention criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government over what it described as attempts to stifle opposition politics.

Speaking at the convention, the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, said the legitimacy of the exercise cannot be questioned, rejecting suggestion that the exercise was flawed and illegal.

He said the convention was holding before party leaders who raised no objection.

He went on to say that, “The approval of the various committees proposed by the outgoing NWC to support the Caretaker Committee during the transition period; the swearing-in of the Caretaker Committee; and the new executives of the party were all administered the oath of office by competent authorities at that NEC,” he said.

According to Aregbesola, the resolutions at an earlier NEC meeting, which included the dissolution of the former leadership, were communicated to INEC which the commission acknowledged and accepted.

“The report of that NEC meeting was submitted to INEC by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and Alhaji Baba Abdullahi. It was on this basis that INEC recognised the new leadership and uploaded the principal officers on its electronic portal,” he said.

Insisting that the removal of the former National Working Committee (NWC) followed due process and cannot not be faulted, Aregbesola said, “No member, I repeat, no member of the former NWC of the ADC therefore has any right or claim to any office thereafter. A dead horse cannot rise again,” Aregbesola said.

He questioned INEC’s absence at the convention, saying it was an abdication of responsibility and breach of the law.

“INEC’s failure to meet its lawful duty is hereby declared an abdication of responsibility and a breach of the law,.

“The decision of INEC to refuse to attend and monitor our convention amounts to dereliction of duty, bordering on a dangerously partisan outlook aimed at unlawfully delegitimising the otherwise legitimate actions of our party,” he added.

“There is no other legitimate ground that INEC can rely on to refuse monitoring our convention, except if INEC, is on a mission to destroy the ADC and pave the way for the APC to coast to victory without any serious challenge.

ADC won’t bow – David Mark

Former Senate President and national chairman of the ADC, David Mark, while speaking at the convention said the party won’t bow to any kind of autocracy.

“In an ever-shrinking democratic space, the ADC will not bow, we will not cower, and we will not retreat,” he said.

Mark said the current problem orchestrated by some persons to bring down the party was part of a bigger struggle to reclaim Nigeria’s democracy, charging politicians across all political parties to come together in order to rescue democracy.

“This generation is asking tough questions of leadership, and we are emerging as a credible alternative because our vision aligns with their aspirations,” he said.

We are heading to disaster – Peter Obi

According to former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, Nigeria is heading to disaster under the current government.

Citing global terrorism index, Obi said Nigeria has continued to occupy almost the bottom position since the current administration assumed office.

According to him, the country has moved from eighth to fourth position in terrorism ranking, an indication of worsening insecurity which he said was alarming.

“If this trajectory continues, in a few years, Nigeria could rank among the worst-affected countries,” he said.

Speaking on national debt and the economy, Obi said the country had borrowed more than ever and heading to disaster.

“We have huge debts, and we have borrowed more, and we are heading to disaster. The reason why I use these short figures is to show you we are drifting,” he said, adding that the figures point to a country in decline.

“We must now sacrifice for the sake of our children. If we don’t do anything, what is happening will take revenge on us and our children,” he said.

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Politics

2027: Aisha Yesufu rallies support for Peter Obi, Kwankwaso

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

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Activist and political leader, Aisha Yesufu, has charged her supporters, known as ‘Supporters of Aisha Yesufu’ (SAY Nation), to back presidential candidates of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, ADC, in the forthcoming 2027 election, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Yesufu gave the charge in Abuja on Wednesday at the conclusion of a strategic outreach to Bwari, AMAC, Kuje, Kwali, Abaji and Gwagwalada area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

During the outreach, Yesufu, who had expressed interest in the NDC FCT senatorial ticket, met with party members, stakeholders and supporters to express appreciation for their support and commitment to her political aspiration.

The activist noted that the engagement formed part of her ongoing consultations across the FCT following recent developments within the party that denied her the opportunity to participate in the contest for the FCT Senatorial District ticket.

Speaking during the outreach, Yesufu expressed appreciation for the loyalty, sacrifices and commitment demonstrated by party executives, stakeholders and supporters throughout her political journey.

She, in the same vein, acknowledged the disappointment and frustration felt by her supporters over the outcome of the NDC internal processes but urged them “not to lose faith in the collective struggle for a better Nigeria”.

According to her, “the outreach was designed not only to thank supporters for their unwavering dedication but also to encourage them to remain focused on the broader national objective of securing a prosperous and inclusive future for Nigerians”.

The activist called on supporters across the FCT to channel their energy towards strengthening grassroots mobilisation and sustaining the momentum for political change.

“The quest for good governance transcends individual political ambitions,” she declared.

Yesufu charged members of ‘SAY Nation’ and other supporters of the ADC to “remain united, resilient, and committed to the larger vision of delivering transformative leadership for Nigeria, particularly in support of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso”.

She expressed confidence that Nigeria’s future remains bright.

According to her, “collective action, perseverance, and faith would ultimately pave the way for the emergence of a better nation”.

“Nigeria will be OK,” she assured supporters.

Supporters, during the outreach, expressed solidarity with Yesufu and reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of the political movement. They noted that the engagement provided reassurance and renewed hope despite recent political setbacks.

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Politics

I spend over N1m everyday in Abuja – Chidi Mike begs NDC to release primary election results

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

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Businessman seeking to represent Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituency, Imo State in the House of Representatives, Chidi Mike Anyanwu has called on the leadership of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC to release results of the recently concluded primary elections.

The party had, in a statement on Sunday, stated that the official outcome of the primaries conducted across the country on May 28 and 29 is yet to be released.

In a statement, NDC urged the public to disregard the results circulating on social media.

According to NDC, the results are still under the custody of the National Executive Council.

Reacting, Chidi in a video shared on Facebook on Wednesday, said he spends over a million naira everyday in Abuja while waiting for the results.

He said, “NDC, you people should please release the primary election results. I spend nothing less than one million naira here in Abuja everyday.

“That is not even the problem, the problem is the high blood pressure that comes with the anxiety about whether you won or lost.”

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Politics

Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal wanted to rig ADC presidential primary – Msheliza alleges

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

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Nicholas Msheliza, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress Adamawa Primary Electoral Committee, has alleged that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, was the one who attempted to rig the state’s ADC presidential primary.

He made the allegations in a statement on Wednesday.

This counter-allegation follows earlier claims by Lawal that former President Atiku Abubakar rigged himself to victory in last month’s ADC presidential primary.

Recall that Atiku emerged as the presidential candidate of ADC; however, Lawal described the primary as flawed in his remark while resigning from the opposition party.

Reacting, Msheliza said Lawal, in the past days, has been trying hard to justify actions against the party.

“I have watched with amusement how hard he has been trying to justify his actions with phantom excuses of unfair presidential primaries and rigging in favour of Atiku Abubakar.

“While I had initially chosen to be a spectator by the sidelines, I have now found it necessary to break my silence and offer some response in order to prevent gullible Nigerians from swallowing the venom of hatred and pack of lies being peddled by Babachir Lawal.

“With the esteemed office he occupied in the party, and as a pastor, which he sometimes claims to be, I never thought in my wildest imagination that Babachir Lawal could descend so low to the level of distorting facts to defend his inability and lack of capacity to deliver on what has turned out to be a scam he had sold to his principal.

“It is obvious that Babachir Lawal has little or no knowledge of the role of a returning officer.

“For the sake of clarity, the local government Babachir Lawal mentioned in his interview is the Hong Local Government Area, the very local government he hails from.

“I wish to state for the record that Atiku Abubakar won that local government with 11,991 votes while Hayatu-Deen and Rotimi Amaechi polled 2,493 and 377 votes, respectively.

“When Babachir Lawal got wind of the results, he called and requested that I reverse the results to favour his candidate. I refused to carry out his criminal directive.

“Curiously, one hour after that call, he dissolved and constituted a so-called new electoral committee for the Hong Local Government Area from his office in Abuja without recourse to me as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee for Adamawa State. This was the Babachir Lawal committee that went on to illegally carry out his rigging assignment in Hong, Madagali, Michika, and Mubi North Local Government Areas without any ward electoral materials given to them. Please note that the original results from Hong had been entered before Babachir Lawal’s so-called new committee came up with the concocted results from Hong.

“I was extremely happy when Babachir Lawal mentioned that he had his results sheets to show as evidence of rigging. I challenge him to provide them for public scrutiny against the results sheets from the Adamawa State Electoral Committee.

“I wish to put Babachir Lawal on notice that in my next statement on this issue, I would be glad to present a plethora of unassailable evidence, including unethical interferences to show the rigging processes the self-styled pastor unleashed on Adamawa State and the scam scheme he presided over during the presidential primaries. All his plans to compromise the election were resisted.

“If Babachir Lawal has personal scores to settle with Atiku Abubakar, I advise him to choose another means but not to discredit a process in which he was a chief planner, but got angry and frustrated because he was stopped in his tracks.

“Instead of Babachir Lawal to hide his face in shame, he is now ranting like a rabid dog for his inability to justify the enormous resources entrusted to him with the results of the primaries so presented”, he stated.

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