The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of acting under pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in its decision to discontinue recognition of the David Mark-led national working committee (NWC).
INEC had on Tuesday announced that it would stop recognising the Mark-led leadership of the party following ongoing court cases.
Reacting in a statement, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, rejected INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling.
He alleged that the electoral body succumbed to pressure from a government unsettled by the growing momentum of the opposition.
“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the court of appeal ruling. We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum,” he said.
Abdullahi described INEC’s position as contradictory and inconsistent with the facts.
“INEC’s press statement is full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason,” he said.
He said the party would clarify the issues publicly, insisting that the commission had taken sides against Nigerians.
“What is clear is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people,” he said.
The ADC said it is reviewing its options and will announce its next steps.
It urged party members and supporters to remain calm and await further directives.
“We call on our members and all Nigerians to remain steadfast as they await further directives,” Abdullahi said.
