According to a report by Punch, Festus Keyamo has dismissed the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) refusal to comply with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to derecognise its leadership.
The minister cautioned that the party risks being unable to field candidates in the 2027 general elections if it continues to defy the commission’s directive.
He described the ongoing internal dispute within the party as self-inflicted and emphasized that attempts to circumvent legal processes would have serious consequences for the party’s participation in upcoming elections.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, expressed concerns over the faction led by David Mark, noting that it was relying on emotional reasoning and attempts at political blackmail to escape the effects of its legal challenges.
He rejected the faction’s interpretation of the legal principle of “status quo ante bellum,” which calls for parties to maintain conditions that existed before a dispute.
According to the minister, the faction’s reliance on this concept does not address the substantive legal issues and may mislead members of the party into assuming that they are shielded from legal consequences.
The minister further highlighted the complications arising from a court case still pending over the alleged takeover of the party by a deputy national chairman.
Keyamo explained that any unilateral actions taken by either faction could be invalidated if they occur after INEC’s deadline for the nomination of candidates.
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He underscored the importance of complying with electoral regulations, warning that noncompliance could prevent the party from participating fully in the next general election.
The legal uncertainties, combined with internal disputes, have created a situation in which the ADC’s ability to field candidates remains in question.
The warning from the minister has drawn attention to the broader implications of internal party disputes on electoral participation.
He stressed that the defiance of INEC by the party leadership could result in serious repercussions, including the loss of the opportunity to present candidates for elective offices.
The minister emphasized that the electoral process requires adherence to deadlines and regulations, and any attempts to bypass or manipulate these rules could undermine the party’s standing and limit political representation for its members.
He said, “The implication is that the ADC may end up having NO CANDIDATE for the election.
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