By Hassan Salihu
A keen observer of the political process in Nigeria over the last five days would have noticed some unfortunate developments involving factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The case file is that INEC has delisted the party over a factional tussle between the David Mark group and the Nafiu Bala Gombe faction. In its wisdom, INEC has interpreted the Court of Appeal’s judgement on maintaining the status quo ante bellum as requiring the withdrawal of official recognition from the two groups. This interpretative effort by INEC has been disapproved by sections of the Nigerian population, including the NPSA. As a result, the party has threatened to proceed with its scheduled convention, with or without INEC’s presence. In return, the latter has threatened consequences should the party carry out its threat.
We are concerned about the strained relationship between the two public institutions, which should have enjoyed cordiality between them. This arose from the manner of the takeover of ADC by the David Mark group through the mass resignations of the former exco members of the party, a claim currently subject to litigation.
The emerging scenario has the potential to derail the ongoing transition and scare away voters on the days of the upcoming scheduled elections. The likelihood of these scenarios worsening the already depressing voter apathy and sowing the seeds of post-election disputes has made this intervention compelling for the NPSA.
We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to show greater interest in the matter, as it is capable of bringing lawlessness closer home and, arguably, reversing the gains of democratic practice in Nigeria so far. Nothing benefits the two sides in their recalcitrant posture, especially INEC: its primary concern should be inclusiveness, not withdrawal from the transition programme or flagrant disobedience of the law.
In view of the need to avert the looming anarchy which would leave all Nigerians as losers, the NPSA presents the following proposals for consideration:
1. Political solutions entail inviting the ADC to a meeting with INEC. This meeting ought to have been held before INEC declared non-recognition. We recall that the last Commission did something similar with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to warn the party against factionalisation, as shown in the mails received from the two factions of the party.
2. Approach the Court of Appeal for the correct interpretation of its order on status quo ante bellum.
3. Litigants should return to the High Court as ordered by the Court of Appeal.
4. Respected leaders of the country can wade into the matter by talking to the two bodies to agree to talk across the table to find a solution to the logjam.
5. Some respected traditional rulers can come together to broker peace between them.
6. Democracy is both conflictual and consensus-building. The disputants within the ADC’s ranks can meet and reach a consensus among themselves, and decongest the courts.
There are proposals to externalise the impasse. We do not agree with this option in managing the disagreement. Undoubtedly, there is danger in latching onto the international system to resolve the ongoing issue. Resorting to it could be a double-edged sword. Definitely, there are important lessons for ADC to learn from both the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the PDP traditions of internationalising domestic issues and their telling effects on Nigeria’s external image then and even now. The country is already penetrated by external interests on myriad issues, not least security: ADC should avoid calling for more external interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs.
On the part of the ruling party, moderation is recommended on the transition programme to avoid driving opposition elements to the edge. As for the electoral body, the political environment is already charged with enough suspicions dogging the political space. Its deductions and actions should be considered both vertically and horizontally, given the fact that self-serving politics is the common denominator among the country’s politicians.
Politics as a form of business in our clime means reasonable conduct is a far cry from its theatre.
The NPSA believes that the matter in contention is resolvable and can be resolved internally. There is no need to externalise the issue. Our Association strongly holds the view that urgent action is needed to douse the brewing tension between INEC and the two factions of the ADC.
The Nigerian state, in its current constitution, has been weakened over the years by the choices made by its successive leaders, leading one to doubt its capacity to manage another avoidable political upheaval at this point. The time for concerned Nigerians to intervene in the unfolding story is now, to save the country the cost of a full-blown political conflict that could compound the already tense security situation in the nation.
Hassan A. Saliu, President, NPSA.
Ilorin, 5th April 2026.