Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that proceeding with its planned congresses and convention could jeopardise its candidates.
Amupitan issued the warning during an interview on Arise Television.
He said INEC is a party in the ongoing court case involving the ADC and must comply strictly with the court’s directive.
“INEC was sued as a defendant in the matter, so we must act within the confines of the court order,” he said.
The INEC chairman noted that the court directed all parties to refrain from taking actions that could render the case before it nugatory.
“The court was clear that parties should not take any step that would create a fait accompli or affect the subject matter before the court,” he said.
Amupitan said the commission’s decision was based on the need to avoid interfering with judicial proceedings.
He warned that if the ADC proceeds with its activities and the court later rules against it, the consequences could be severe.
“We have seen this before. Elections have been nullified because of issues around primaries and party processes,” he said.
He cited past cases in Zamfara and Plateau states where courts invalidated elections due to non-compliance with legal requirements.
“In some instances, candidates who came second were declared winners after courts voided the elections,” he said.
Amupitan said the commission issued the warning to prevent a repeat of such scenarios.
“They have the liberty to proceed, but failure to comply with court orders has consequences,” he said.
He added that INEC would not take any action that could compromise the integrity of the ongoing judicial process.
