The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Amupitan has rejected claims that the commission is being used to create a one-party state in favor of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. “I am not guilty as charged,. Let me say it very clearly. I am not a party to the plan of anyone to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. By the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria is a multi-party state and this is recognized by the constitution and the Electoral Act,” he stated.

He cited the recent FCT area council elections, noting about ten political parties participated, including ADC, PDP, Labor Party, and Zenith Labour Party. “The democratic space remains vibrant. Parties are participating, and the elections demonstrate that competition is alive,” he said.

On disputes within the ADC and the PDP, he explained, “One of the challenges we’ve had is the issue of party leadership. And it’s something that is impacting on democracy because if those issues are not addressed on time, it can cause a lot of problem. Nobody is looking at that part that ordered the trial court to give it expeditious trial. This is an originating summons. An originating summons that could, if they had gone to court, have been decided by now because the Court of Appeal has given a specific order that it should be decided expeditiously.”

Explaining INEC’s role, he said, “So therefore, it calls to question the fact that this order has been made. They’re supposed to go back to the Federal High Court and let the Federal High Court, with that order, compel the judge to hear that case expeditiously. The Court of Appeal made a preservatory order, status quo antebellum. The commission just recorded positions before 2nd September 2025. If the court gives judgment, parties can proceed. Life goes on.”

He concluded, “The whole idea that INEC is being used to turn Nigeria into a one party state is false. INEC follows court orders, not political pressure.”

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has insisted on going ahead with its planned congresses and convention, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, derecognizing its leadership.

In a notice released on Friday by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the congress is expected to last from April 7th to 14th, 2026.

The congress will commence with the screening of aspirants and then end with a national convention.

“This is to notify all party members that, despite INEC’s illegal actions, the African Democratic Congress will continue with its congresses as scheduled, having duly notified INEC by our letters dated 27th February 2026 and 28th March 2026.

“Screening of Aspirants—7th April 2026; Appeals on Screening Exercise—8th April 2026; Polling Unit, Ward, and Local Government Congresses – 9th April 2026; Appeals on the Congresses-10th April 2026; State Congresses-11th April 2026; Appeals on the State Congresses-12th April 2026 and Convention-14th2026; April 2026,” the notice reads.

This comes days after INEC delisted the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark.

The party has condemned the decision, calling for the resignation of the electoral body’s chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan.

However, Amupitan said the commission’s decision was based on a pending court case.

He cautioned ADC that if the party goes on with its congresses disregarding judicial directives, the move could ultimately invalidate any electoral victory secured by the party.

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.”