By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has strongly criticised the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that recent developments could undermine democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group expressed “deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of INEC’s decision to align with a court order maintaining status quo ante bellum in the ADC leadership dispute. While acknowledging the need to respect judicial authority, the Situation Room argued that INEC’s approach reflects an “uncritical endorsement” of the ruling without sufficient consideration of its broader consequences.
According to the group, the application of the status quo directive risks prolonging uncertainty within the party by sustaining contested leadership structures. It warned that such ambiguity could negatively affect party administration, candidate nominations, and ultimately voter confidence.
The coalition also raised alarm over what it described as the increasing politicisation of the Judiciary of Nigeria in internal party matters. It noted a growing pattern of judicial interventions that appear inconsistent or vulnerable to manipulation, cautioning that this trend could erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“INEC’s posture, rather than resolving uncertainty, appears to legitimise a prolonged state of confusion,” the statement read, adding that the electoral body risks abdicating its responsibility to ensure clarity and adherence to democratic norms within political parties.
The Situation Room questioned why INEC appeared to be reversing its earlier decision of September 9, 2025, when it accepted and published the names of ADC principal officers submitted in July 2025. It described the shift as troubling and lacking transparency.
The group warned that allowing such precedents to stand could encourage prolonged litigation and deepen factionalism within political parties, weakening Nigeria’s democratic framework.
To address the situation, the coalition called on INEC to reverse its decision de-recognising the current ADC leadership and to reinstate their details on its official portal. It also urged the electoral body to adopt a more transparent and consistent approach in handling party disputes.
In addition, the group called for judicial restraint in matters of internal party governance and urged members of the ADC to resolve their differences through democratic and internal mechanisms.
The Situation Room further emphasised the need for urgent institutional reforms to safeguard the credibility and independence of Nigeria’s democratic institutions as the country prepares for the 2027 polls.
It reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments and advocating for credible electoral processes that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
The statement was signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Convener of the Situation Room, and Mma Odi.
