ADC Accuses INEC of Weakening Opposition in Nigeria

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of misinterpreting a court order, which they argue weakens the opposition's ability to operate freely. In a statement made by ADC's spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, he emphasized that INEC's chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, demonstrated a fundamental misapplication of constitutional principles in a recent interview.

Abdullahi pointed out that the core issue is not whether Nigeria remains a multi-party state in theory, but whether INEC's actions practically undermine the opposition parties' ability to organize and function. He criticized Amupitan's reliance on the doctrine of "statu quo ante bellum," suggesting it requires a rollback to a specific point in time, which could suspend party activities.

Abdullahi stressed that the interpretation of legal flaws should preserve the order's nature, preventing actions that could irreversibly alter the subject matter of litigation, thereby affecting the internal functions of political parties.