The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) interpretation of a recent Court of Appeal ruling concerning the party’s leadership dispute.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday evening, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused INEC of acting under external pressure from the government.
“We reject @inecnigeria’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 even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties,” Abdullahi said.
The crisis escalated after INEC moved to remove the names of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC respectively.
The ADC described INEC’s position as inconsistent with both the facts and the court ruling.
“INEC’s press statement is full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason. We shall clarify these contradictions for all to see,” Abdullahi stated.
He further alleged that the electoral body had taken sides in the internal dispute.
“What is clear, however, is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people,” he said.
The party said it is currently reviewing its options and will make its next line of action known soon.
