African Democratic Congress Accuses INEC of Criminal Contempt Amid Escalating National Leadership Crisis

The African Democratic Congress accuses INEC of "criminal" behavior and contempt of court. Read the latest on the ADC leadership dispute and INEC portal changes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 5:38 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Allegations of Regulatory Bias and Selective Recognition

The African Democratic Congress has publicly condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission for its perceived role in the party’s deepening leadership divide. Appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi argued that the electoral umpire is overstepping its legal boundaries and taking sides in a purely internal party matter. Abdullahi asserted that the commission has continued to acknowledge the actions of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former official whom the party maintains has no legal standing. According to Abdullahi, Gombe’s authority ended with his resignation and the subsequent dissolution of the executive committee to which he belonged.

The Role of the National Executive Committee in Party Governance

Central to the ADC’s argument is the supremacy of the National Executive Committee (NEC) as the highest decision-making body outside of the national convention. The party spokesman emphasized that the NEC had already issued binding directives regarding the party's leadership structure, which he believes INEC is duty-bound to respect. Abdullahi explained that once the NEC dissolved the previous executive, no member of that body, including Gombe, could legally represent the ADC. By ignoring these internal resolutions, the party claims INEC is undermining the democratic autonomy of political organizations.

Violations of Court of Appeal Directives and Legal Status Quo

The rhetoric escalated as Abdullahi accused INEC of committing what he termed "criminal" acts by disregarding a standing instruction from the Court of Appeal. The court had previously ordered all parties involved to maintain the status quo until the legal merits of the leadership dispute were fully resolved. The ADC contends that any change in recognition or the endorsement of factional actions constitutes a direct violation of this judicial order. Abdullahi specifically targeted commission officials, alleging that their conduct amounts to contempt of court and labels the organization’s current behavior as predatory toward the party’s stability.