Defying court orders may invalidate elections, INEC chair warns ADC

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned the African Democratic Congress against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention in defiance of court orders, cautioning that such actions could invalidate any electoral victory.

 

Amupitan gave the warning during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, following the party’s indication that it would go ahead with its convention despite INEC’s derecognition of its leadership linked to former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

 

He stressed that the commission’s decision was not arbitrary but based on a subsisting court order, which directed parties to refrain from actions that could undermine ongoing legal proceedings.

 

“So if they are going ahead with their congress or convention, they must consider whether it contravenes the court order. INEC did not just wake up and take this decision. There was an order of court,” he said.

 

The INEC chairman explained that the issue of conducting congresses and conventions is already before the court, noting that any step taken while the matter is pending could render the judicial process ineffective.

 

“Don’t do anything that will render any proceeding before the court nugatory,” he added.

 

Amupitan further cautioned that disobedience to court orders could have far-reaching consequences, including the nullification of election outcomes.

 

Drawing from past precedents, he cited cases in Zamfara and Plateau states where failure to comply with court directives led to the annulment of election results, with candidates who secured the second-highest votes eventually declared winners.

 

He maintained that while political parties are at liberty to make their choices, INEC would not allow itself to be drawn into avoidable electoral disputes.