ADC CRISIS: IPAC SLAMS INEC, CAUTIONS AGAINST RASH DECISIONS
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Thursday voiced concern over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s handling of the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that missteps could erode confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The council also condemned the ongoing killings in Plateau State and raised objections to the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise, citing potential voter disenfranchisement and undue pressure on political parties.
IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja, urging the electoral body to act cautiously in resolving internal party disputes.
He said, “IPAC calls on INEC to exercise caution in handling the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress. It must be understood that internal party disagreements, even when leadership is contested, do not create a leadership vacuum.”
“The reported removal of Distinguished Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal appears premature and could trigger unnecessary instability in the polity. If mishandled, such actions may set a dangerous precedent and erode confidence in the neutrality of the electoral umpire.
“IPAC therefore calls on INEC to exercise restraint, fairness, and strict adherence to due process in resolving intra-party disputes.”
The warning comes amid rising tensions within the African Democratic Congress, where rival factions are claiming legitimate leadership—a matter currently under the scrutiny of INEC as the statutory regulator of political parties.
On the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise, the council cautioned that although updating the voter register is crucial for credible elections, the timing of the exercise could present significant challenges.
“IPAC recognises that periodic updates to the voter register are essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. However, the timing of the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise raises serious concerns,” said Martins.
The council noted that political parties and other key stakeholders are already stretched by multiple obligations under the new Electoral Act, including ongoing nationwide membership registration with mandatory NIN verification, party primaries, and INEC’s verification and compliance assessments.
IPAC warned that introducing a Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise at this stage, without broad consultation or adequate preparation, could overwhelm the system.
“We therefore urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to avoid an overcrowded electoral process that could ultimately exclude, rather than include, citizens from participating in democracy,” Martins added.
The council also condemned the ongoing wave of violence in Plateau State, describing the killings as a serious threat to national unity and security.
“These senseless acts of violence are unacceptable and pose a significant danger to the nation’s unity and stability,” the statement said.
“The Council urges the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take immediate, decisive, and sustained action to stop the violence, protect lives and property, and restore peace to affected communities.
“It is crucial that the perpetrators of these heinous acts, as well as their sponsors, are promptly identified, apprehended, and brought to justice,” the statement added.
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