The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overstepping its constitutional limits amid a leadership crisis within the party. In a statement released on Friday by its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC rejected INEC's position that holding planned party congresses could breach electoral guidelines. The commission had reportedly warned the party against proceeding with internal elections, citing potential violations of Section 89 of the Electoral Act. ADC insists its activities are in line with its internal constitution and legal provisions governing political party operations. The party described INEC's intervention as an unwarranted intrusion into its internal affairs. Bolaji Abdullahi stated, "We are conducting our affairs within the rule of law and will not be deterred by directives that lack legal foundation." The disagreement threatens to disrupt the party's planned national convention scheduled for later this month.
INEC's intervention in ADC's internal affairs sets a questionable precedent for how political party autonomy is interpreted. Bolaji Abdullahi's assertion that the commission lacks legal basis for its directive exposes the thin line between regulatory oversight and overreach. If INEC can halt congresses based on subjective readings of the Electoral Act, other parties may face similar disruptions under weaker pretexts. This moment tests whether party democracy will be protected or progressively centralised under regulatory authority.
