The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that it has taken no position on the court ruling nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.
The commission also dismissed reports that it had removed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi from its online portal, describing the claims as unfounded.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, made the clarification while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Haruna explained that the commission could not determine its next course of action without first obtaining and examining the official court document.
He added that securing a Certified True Copy of a judgment could take several days and typically requires about a week.
The clarification follows a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken by the disputed leadership, including its candidate selection process for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment arose from a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party representing the North-East, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
The court held that the process through which the leadership emerged did not comply with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
However, the ADC has rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the appellate court.
The party also disclosed that it had filed an application for a stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal.
It further said it had formally notified INEC of the legal steps taken, urging the commission to refrain from implementing any decision that could affect its activities while the appeal remains pending.
The unfolding dispute has placed the ADC’s leadership structure and preparations for the 2027 general elections under legal scrutiny, with INEC awaiting the official judgment before determining its next steps.
