INEC should have sought judicial clarification over ADC leaders, Akande says

Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that the commission ought to have sought judicial clarification before taking decisive action. Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, Akande expressed concern over INEC’s decision […]

Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that the commission ought to have sought judicial clarification before taking decisive action.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, Akande expressed concern over INEC’s decision to derecognise the faction of the party led by David Mark, arguing that the commission ought to have exercised greater caution given the broader implications for the country’s democratic system.

“Because INEC is supposed to be an umpire, one would have expected that they would have demonstrated a bit more caution,” he said.

Akande questioned why the electoral body did not seek judicial clarification before taking a step with far-reaching political consequences.

“So that, if you are not clear or if you are trying to take a decision that has this kind of implication on the polity, why couldn’t you go to the court to ask for an interpretation of what it is that you are trying to do?” he added.

He warned that weakening the ADC at this stage could significantly distort Nigeria’s political balance, particularly as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections.

“Because, this is the most important thing in my view, if you derail the ADC that it seems it’s going to happen, you’re going to have a walk-over election for the first time in Nigeria’s history. It’s going to be a walk-over,” Akande stated.

In his assessment, the former presidential aide argued that Nigeria’s opposition space is already fragile, pointing to internal crises within other major parties.

“PDP is dead. Wike has ensured that. The only opposition that exists today is ADC,” he said, referencing the challenges within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the role of Nyesom Wike.

Akande further warned that any perceived attempt to sideline the ADC could have grave consequences for democratic development in the country.

“So, if you also try to rig out ADC, you are rigging out the future of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

While acknowledging the internal disputes within the ADC, he urged stakeholders to separate political maneuvering from the broader need to preserve democratic institutions.

“I think people should separate the games and the antics of our politicians. They should put it aside,” he noted.

He also called for careful handling of the legal dimensions of the crisis, urging key actors, including legal experts such as Joash Amupitan, to appreciate the sensitivity of the situation.

“As we should talk to Professor Joash Amupitan that he must understand why you are walking on eggshells on this matter,” he said.

Akande concluded with a stark warning on the implications of weakening the ADC, stressing that the issue goes beyond internal party disputes.

“If you kill ADC, you’re not just killing them for their improprieties, you are actually killing the potential of the development of the democratic space of this country.”

His comments add to growing concerns among political observers over the state of opposition politics in Nigeria and the potential impact of ongoing legal and institutional actions on the country’s democratic trajectory ahead of 2027.