Nigeria Political Science Association Proposes Mediation and Judicial Clarity to Resolve African Democratic Congress Leadership Crisis

The Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) urges INEC and the ADC to find an internal resolution to their leadership logjam. Discover their 2026 roadmap for peace.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from LEADERSHIP News

A Call for Internal Consensus

The Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) has formally released a set of recommendations aimed at breaking the deadlock currently paralyzing the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement titled “Possible Ways Out Of The Logjam,” NPSA President Prof. Hassan Saliu emphasized that the crisis—which involves a legal and administrative battle between two factions—is "resolvable internally." The association urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to convene a high-level meeting with the disputing camps to foster a consensus, noting that such a proactive step should have occurred before the Commission delisted the David Mark-led executive.

Judicial and Institutional Path Forward

The political scientists suggested a two-pronged approach to navigating the legal complexities of the case. First, they advised INEC to approach the Court of Appeal for a precise interpretation of its order regarding the status quo ante bellum (the state of affairs before the conflict). Second, the NPSA encouraged litigants to return to the High Court as directed by the appellate court to ensure a structured judicial resolution. The association cited historical precedents where INEC successfully managed factionalization within the People's Democratic Party (PDP) by issuing warnings and maintaining open lines of communication with both sides.

The Role of Traditional and National Elders

Beyond the courts and the electoral umpire, the NPSA proposed that respected national leaders and traditional rulers should step in as mediators. Prof. Saliu noted that democracy relies on both "conflictual and consensus-building" processes. By involving traditional institutions, the ADC camps could potentially reach an out-of-court settlement that would "decongest the courts" and stabilize the party's internal structure ahead of future electoral cycles.