ADC crisis: Amupitan worse than Mahmood Yakubu – Kenneth Okonkwo

By Lawrence Agbo

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the party, declaring that Josh Amupitan is “worse” than former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu.

Okonkwo faulted INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of ADC’s leadership, describing the move as unlawful and lacking judicial backing.

He argued that the commission had earlier recognised the party’s leadership but abruptly reversed itself without any court order.

“Josh Amupitan is worse than Prof Yakubu Mahmood. Without a court order, INEC, which recognised the leadership of ADC, suddenly withdrew recognition for ADC,” he said.

According to him, such actions undermine due process and raise concerns about the independence of INEC.

He further alleged that the commission’s conduct suggests bias, claiming it now operates in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“INEC, under Amupitan, has finally proved that it is a department of APC,” he added.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson warned that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it could erode public confidence in the electoral body and pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“If nothing is done immediately, democracy has finally come to an end in Nigeria.”

The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with rival factions claiming control of the party’s structure.

INEC’s position on which leadership to recognise has remained a contentious issue, further deepening the crisis within the party.