“Lawyer Slams INEC: Tinubu Set to Cruise Unchallenged in 2027!”

Human rights attorney, Inibehe Effiong, has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, regarding its verdict on the leadership turmoil in the African Democratic Congress, ADC, claiming an attempt to sabotage credible elections ahead of 2027.

Effiong, in a message on X on Wednesday, indicated that recent events surrounding the ADC have sparked worries about a “well-orchestrated malevolent scheme” to disrupt a clear electoral process.

His comments follow INEC’s removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official website as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively, and its announcement that it would not acknowledge Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman via the courts.

The Commission also halted recognition of all factions within the party and stated it would abstain from monitoring conventions or congresses organized by the opposing groups, pending the resolution of a substantive case before the Federal High Court.

In response, Effiong questioned the grounds of the dispute, emphasizing that, according to existing information, members of the party’s executive had resigned to facilitate a new leadership under Mark and Aregbesola, which was subsequently endorsed by the party’s National Executive Committee.

He contended that leadership disagreements within political parties have conventionally been seen as internal issues, raising alarms concerning judicial involvement in the ADC crisis.

Effiong also cited the Court of Appeal’s order for parties to uphold the status quo ante bellum, questioning whether this implied a leadership void within the party until the matter is settled.

He further accused INEC of potentially acting in favor of the ruling party, suggesting that these developments could be intended to weaken opposition leading up to the next general elections.

“Whose script is INEC following?”

“It appears that the ruling party, which boasts over thirty governors in its ranks, is so fearful of a fair competition.”

“If INEC wishes for Bola Tinubu to run as an uncontested candidate – unchallenged, in 2027, let the Commission declare it publicly.

“It will spare the nation the billions of Naira allocated for the ‘presidential election,” he stated.