Rauf Aregbesola, national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to monitor the party’s national convention, insisting the commission had no legal grounds for its action.
Speaking at the convention in Abuja, Aregbesola said the ADC complied fully with provisions of the Electoral Act by notifying INEC in advance and submitting all required documents, including membership registers and details of its convention committees.
INEC had earlier declined involvement in the convention, citing a leadership crisis within the party and a court of appeal ruling directing all parties to maintain the status quo.
However, Aregbesola argued that the judgment did not prohibit the commission from attending or supervising the event.
He described INEC’s absence as a breach of its constitutional responsibility and accused the commission of acting in a partisan manner. According to him, the move appeared aimed at undermining the ADC and giving undue advantage to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aregbesola maintained that the ADC remains a duly registered political party with the right to conduct its internal affairs, warning that treating it otherwise could threaten democratic principles.
