INEC's Absence at ADC Convention Raises Legal Concerns

Todimu Ig, a legal practitioner, cautioned that the absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in monitoring political party conventions could result in significant legal challenges. This warning follows the African Democratic Congress (ADC) conducting its national convention in Abuja on Tuesday, despite INEC's announcement that it would not monitor the event.

INEC had previously removed David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola's names from its official portal. The ADC's national chairman, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the party had already issued a 21-day notice to INEC, which acknowledged receipt but maintained that it would not halt its internal processes.

Ig emphasized that if a party fails to properly notify INEC ahead of its convention, the outcomes could be legally vulnerable, particularly if challenged in court. He noted that INEC's physical presence is crucial for transparency and compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates that political parties notify the commission in advance of their conventions.