The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified its position in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis, citing the legal principle of status quo ante bellum. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) explained that the commission's stance aims to restore the state of affairs that existed before the leadership dispute erupted. He described the principle as a return to the "peaceful period before controversy," emphasizing INEC's role in maintaining stability within registered political parties. The clarification comes after INEC's appearance at the Appeal Court, where it submitted its position in the legal tussle between factions of the ADC. Amupitan stressed that INEC does not arbitrate internal party conflicts but adheres to established legal frameworks in such matters. The commission's intervention is based solely on its statutory responsibilities regarding party recognition and leadership disputes.
Prof. Joash Amupitan's invocation of status quo ante bellum reveals how legal technicalities, not democratic ideals, are shaping INEC's approach to party crises. By choosing a return to pre-dispute conditions, the commission sidesteps judging legitimacy and instead defaults to procedural safety. For Nigerian voters, this means party leadership battles will continue to be settled in courtrooms, not at the grassroots. INEC's stance may preserve administrative consistency, but it does little to discourage internal party power grabs.
