The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is likely to review the ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during its meeting next week, pending the return of its chairman from an official assignment.
This was disclosed by Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, a National Commissioner with the commission.
Haruna, who is the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), disclosed this in a telephone interview, while responding to questions on whether the commission had received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the High Court judgement on the ADC leadership dispute.
He said that as of Tuesday night, the commission had yet to receive the certified copy of the judgement, although it had received the party’s appeal against the ruling and its application for a stay of execution.
“I’m not aware we received the CTC. We still haven’t received it,” Haruna said.
“What we had received was the appeal by ADC and the application for a stay. I think those ones were received. But as for the certified true copy of the judgement, we still haven’t received it,” he added.
Asked how soon the commission could take a position on the matter once the court document was received, Haruna said the decision would require a meeting of the commission.
He explained that INEC’s chairman was away on an official engagement and would not be available for the commission’s scheduled meeting.
According to him, the commission usually holds its meetings on Thursdays, although it sometimes convenes on Tuesdays.
He said the chairman was expected to return on Sunday, raising the possibility of a commission meeting on Tuesday or Thursday next week.
“As soon as he’s back, I’m sure we’ll probably hold a meeting,” Haruna said.
When asked whether Tuesday next week was a possible date for the meeting, he replied: “Possibly even Tuesday. Because I think he should be back before then.”
However, he cautioned against treating the proposed dates as definite, saying he could not give a firm assurance on when the commission would meet or reach a decision.
His comments suggest that the ADC leadership dispute could come before the commission next week, subject to the receipt of the certified judgement and the availability of the INEC chairman and other commissioners.
ADC members petition, NJC, UN, US, ECOWAS
Meanwhile, members of the Forum of ADC candidates and United Friends for Atiku (UFFA), have petitioned the United States embassy and the United Nations over alleged bias by the judiciary.
The forum which protested to the Federal High Court in Abuja, blamed Justice Peter Lifu over the delay in the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement nullifying the party’s National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark.
In their protest letter dated 10th November, 2026, the group said it disagreed with the judgment, and have decided to appeal the judgement.
Speaking at the premises of the Federal high court, the coordinator, Audu Aliyu, said the party disagreed with the judgement but remained committed to pursuing its grievances through lawful and constitutional means.
He said the party’s lawyers had applied for the CTC immediately after the judgment was delivered on Nov. 5 and made the necessary payment.
Aliyu, however, alleged that in spite of repeated visits to the court registry, the document had yet to be released as of Tuesday morning.
He alleged that pressure was being mounted on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act on a judgement that had not been made available to the affected party.
“How can a judgement that has not been made available to the affected party be available to some people, to allegedly pressure INEC into taking action?” he asked.
They argued that withholding the judgment from the affected party while it was allegedly being used to influence INEC could render the constitutional right of appeal meaningless.
“Democracy does not die only through military coups. It can also be undermined through administrative delays and the denial of access to justice,” the petition stated.
The group reaffirmed their confidence in the judiciary, saying that the protest was only intended to defend the rule of law and not to undermine the institution.
Aliyu said that the petition was also copied to President Bola Tinubu, National Judicial Council (NJC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), President of the Court of Appeal, ECOWAS, United Nations, European Union and the U.S. embassies.
What You Should Know
The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reached a critical stage as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares to review court documents and appeals regarding the party’s leadership structure. Meanwhile, aggrieved candidates have petitioned international bodies and local institutions, alleging administrative delays and judicial bias in handling certified true copies of court judgments.
- Positive Impact: Clear resolution by INEC could bring legal certainty and restore order to the party’s activities ahead of future elections.
- Potential Concerns: Ongoing legal battles and delays in obtaining court documents risk creating administrative confusion and political instability within the party.
