ADC Petitions INEC, Demand Amupitan Sack

Abuja – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the suspension of the party’s recognition.

NaijaChoice News confirms the petition was submitted on Wednesday by ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and received by INEC National Commissioner Professor Abdullahi Zuru. The exact details of the document are still unclear, but party leaders have long accused INEC of deliberately misinterpreting a Court of Appeal order.

The move came hours after a high-profile protest marched from Maitama Junction to INEC headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi led the demonstration alongside ADC factional National Chairman Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi and Dino Melaye.

Protesters carried placards reading “Tinubu, let our Democracy breathe”, “Falle daya ce, one term president” and “I stand with ADC, I stand with Democracy”. They accused the electoral body of working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to block the ADC from fielding candidates in 2027.

The crisis escalated last week when INEC withdrew recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee. The commission acted on a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a leadership suit at the Federal High Court.

Mr Bala had challenged Senator Mark’s emergence as national chairman following the resignation of Ralph Nwosu. The appellate court dismissed an interlocutory appeal by the Mark camp and ordered all parties, including INEC, not to take steps that could prejudice the substantive case.

INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan told Arise TV that the commission was simply obeying the court by stopping dealings with any faction until the Federal High Court rules. The Mark-led group rejected this explanation, describing it as a wilful misinterpretation and renewing calls for Amupitan’s resignation.

On Tuesday, a rival faction loyal to 2023 ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu held a press conference in Abuja. The group backed INEC’s decision and announced plans to organise a national convention while criticising attempts to hijack the party.

Political observers say the standoff threatens the opposition’s efforts to build a united front ahead of 2027. With the Federal High Court case still pending, the ADC remains without official recognition from the electoral umpire.