ADC crisis: Civil society groups warn INEC against manipulation
A coalition of civil society organisations under the Network of Civil Society Groups has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist being used as a political tool amid
A coalition of civil society organisations under the Network of Civil Society Groups has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist being used as a political tool amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, the coalition, led by Comrade Yaya Ademola, alleged that INEC is being manipulated to remove the lawful leadership of the ADC under the pretext of court judgments.
Ademola warned that if the crisis persists, it could undermine opposition parties, effectively clearing the path for President Bola Tinubu to secure a second term in the 2027 elections.
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“What INEC is doing mirrors the interference we saw in Osun APC’s local government elections,” Ademola said. “Rulings of the appeal court are being used to favour one side while withholding local government funds, yet the APC continues to receive federal support. This is diversionary and undermines democratic processes.”
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He further accused INEC National Chairman, Joash Amupitan, of acting in the interest of the ruling party, stating, “Amupitan cannot conduct free and fair elections in Osun, Ekiti, or nationally; he is effectively acting as an agent of the APC.”
The coalition called on INEC to respect the Supreme Court ruling that internal affairs of political parties are strictly their own, a position reaffirmed under the 2026 electoral law.
“We categorically state that INEC must uphold its neutrality and allow parties to manage their internal leadership without undue interference,” Ademola emphasised.
