ADC rejects INEC stance on appeal court ruling over party leadership

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on a Court of Appeal verdict concerning its leadership.

INEC, in a statement on Wednesday, withdrew its recognition of the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC, citing a Court of Appeal verdict in a suit over the party’s leadership, which directed the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the electoral umpire is acting under alleged pressure from the federal government.

The statement read: “We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling. We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties.

“INEC’s press statement is full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason. We shall clarify these contradictions for all to see. What is clear, however, is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people.

“We are currently reviewing our options, and we shall make these known soon.
Meanwhile, we call on our members and all Nigerians to remain steadfast as they await further directives.
Nigeria is rising. ADC is rising.”