The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stay away from the party’s national convention, insisting that the commission had no lawful justification for its action.
Speaking at the ADC national convention held in Abuja, Aregbesola argued that the party fully complied with all statutory requirements, including timely notifications and submission of necessary documents as required by the Electoral Act.
He maintained that INEC’s refusal to monitor the convention amounted to a dereliction of duty and accused the commission of acting in a way that could undermine the legitimacy of the party’s internal processes.
According to him, the ADC had duly informed INEC, submitted required materials within the stipulated timeline, and received acknowledgment from the commission, leaving no grounds for non-recognition of the convention.
Aregbesola also dismissed INEC’s reliance on an existing court judgment, insisting that it did not prohibit the commission from carrying out its monitoring responsibilities.
He further alleged that the treatment of the ADC suggested an attempt to weaken the party, while reaffirming that the party remains fully registered and operational under Nigerian law.