The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against moving forward with plans to hold its congresses and convention.

The INEC Chairman warned that the electoral commission would not monitor such congresses and conventions based on the prevailing court order.

Speaking on Friday during an interview with Arise News, Amupitan submitted that any action taken by the ADC before the court delivers a ruling on the leadership crisis affecting the party amounts to an illegality.

He warned that if the ADC conducts primary elections, and its candidates win elections, the court can declare such elections invalid, and the implication is that the person with the second-highest number of votes will be declared the winner, just as it p

Naija News reports that the INEC Chairman gave the warning against the backdrop of the insistence by the David Mark-led faction of the ADC to proceed with its planned congresses and convention ahead of the 2027 elections even if the electoral umpire does not monitor such activities.

However, Amupitan warned that such actions come with consequences and urged the ADC to maintain the status quo pending a court ruling.

He said, “If they decide to go ahead, let me tell you what happened in Zamfara: it happened in the past. At the end of the day, after you have won, the court will declare the election invalid and the implication is that the person with the second-highest number of votes will be declared the winner. It’s happened in Plateau state.

“Failure to obey the court order has consequences. They are at liberty to do whatever they want to do, but INEC doesn’t want to face a situation again where there is an order not to do anything or take any steps. I have the judgment here, and I can read it to you, is very definite.

“So if I proceed for instance to monitor their convention, it means I am taking steps that is going to affect the subject matter that is pending before the court.”

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nothing to do with President Bola Tinubu, according to Hon Success Opara. Rather, the party’s inability to promote internal cohesion is the root cause of the problem.

The ADC has been embroiled in a bitter leadership dispute, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrawing recognition of the party’s leadership headed by Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola. INEC cited a Court of Appeal ruling as the reason for its decision.

Hon Opara’s statement aligns with the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has dismissed allegations that President Tinubu is behind the ADC’s crisis. The APC maintains that the crisis is self-inflicted and stems from internal disagreements within the party.

The ADC, however, has accused INEC of siding with the government and undermining the party’s leadership. The party has announced plans to proceed with its congresses and national convention despite INEC’s warning.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained that the infinity symbol featured on the caps he wears represents a political commitment to ending vi%lence, p%verty, ignorance, and hopelessness in Nigeria.

The President made the statement during his visit to Jos, Plateau State, following recent att@cks by gunmen that left several people d+ad and communities displaced.

Addressing residents, political leaders, and security chiefs, Tinubu said the symbol signifies a collective resolve to overcome persistent national challenges.

“Politically, I brought the symbol on this cap the infinity symbol to break the shackles of v%lence, the shackles of ignorance, the shackles of poverty, and the shackles of hopelessness. We must break it together,” the President said.

He commended members of the armed forces and security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, for their efforts in maintaining security, while urging them to intensify investigations and ensure those responsible for the k+llings are brought to justice.

“You must unearth and find the k+llers,” Tinubu stated, acknowledging the presence of the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Minister of Defence during the visit.

Reflecting on earlier political struggles and shared national aspirations, the President stressed that leadership must focus on progressive development and improving citizens’ standard of living.

“Our promise then was progressive development and improved standards of living for our people not to bury lives, but to develop,” he said.

Tinubu also announced plans to expand a federal committee to include the Plateau State Governor and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to assess damages and provide relief for victims.

“For the losses, we cannot replace a human being. But whatever we can do to give them minimum comfort, we will,” he added.