The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it withdrew recognition of factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and comply with a recent court of appeal judgement was aimed at upholding the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary (CPS) to INEC chairman Joash Amupitan, stated that the decision was made to avoid scenarios similar to those in Zamfara and Plateau states, where elected officials were dismissed by the election tribunal for disregarding court orders.

The commission’s clarification follows criticism from political actors who accused INEC of partisanship and demanded for the chairman’s dismissal over the handling of the ADC leadership issue.

The electoral board declared on Wednesday that it would no longer recognise either the David Mark-led side or Nafiu Bala Gombe’s faction after the court of appeals ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, which was the position before the suit was filed at the Federal High Court.

Earlier on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the Mark-led ADC, stated that the party would proceed with its congresses and convention notwithstanding INEC’s stance on the leadership issue.

However, Oketola said that the appellate court’s preservatory directives, combined with pending litigation at the federal high court, prevented the commission from recognising or associating with any faction of the party.

“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory,” the statement reads.

“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party.

“Additionally, it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court.

“The order to maintain status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the beginning of hostilities. It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it.

“Section 287(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the Judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such judgment.”

Reacting to calls for the removal of INEC chairman, he said such demands are unconstitutional and politically motivated.”

“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” he said.

Oketola said INEC’s role in the ADC crisis is strictly regulatory and legal, adding that the commission “will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties.”

He also dismissed concerns about the next nationwide voter revalidation exercise, stating that attempts to politicise the process are unnecessary.

According to him, the exercise predates the present government and is intended to improve the integrity of Nigeria’s voter register, containing information collected between 2011 and 2024.

“The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters,” the CPS said.

He added that the exercise is not a fresh registration but an audit of existing data to address issues such as multiple registrations, transfers, and deceased voters.

“It is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration. It is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic,” Oketola said.

According to him, the exercise would be conducted nationwide in phases, with digital options to make participation easier, assuring stakeholders of transparency.

He said INEC remains focused on preparations for the Ekiti and Osun states’ off-cycle elections and “will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias.”