The Inter-Party Advisory Council on Thursday, expressed concerns over the handling of the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), warning that missteps could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

The council also decried the persistent killings in Plateau State and raised objections to the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise, citing risks of voter disenfranchisement and systemic strain on political parties.

IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, where he urged the electoral umpire to tread carefully in addressing internal disputes within political parties.

He said, “IPAC calls on INEC to exercise caution in handling the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress. In cases of internal party disagreements, it must be clearly understood that leadership structures, even when contested, do not amount to a vacuum.

“The reported removal of the names of Distinguished Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal appears premature and capable of creating avoidable instability within the polity. If not carefully managed, such actions may set a troubling precedent and undermine confidence in the neutrality of the electoral umpire.

“IPAC therefore urges INEC to act with restraint, fairness and strict adherence to due process in resolving intra-party issues.”

The intervention comes amid growing tension within the ADC over its leadership structure, with rival factions laying claim to legitimacy—an issue that has drawn the attention of INEC as the statutory regulator of political parties.

On the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise, the council warned that while voter register updates are essential for credible elections, the timing of the exercise could pose significant challenges.

“IPAC acknowledges that periodic updates of the voter register are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. However, the timing of the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise raises serious concerns,” Martins stated.

IPAC warned that political parties and other key stakeholders are already overstretched by multiple obligations under the new Electoral Act, including ongoing nationwide membership registration with mandatory NIN verification, party primaries, and INEC’s verification and compliance assessments.

It also cautioned that introducing a Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise at this time, without broad consultation or adequate preparation, could overwhelm the system.

“We therefore urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to prevent an overly congested electoral environment that may ultimately exclude, rather than include, more citizens in the democratic process,” Martins appealed.

The council further condemned the continued wave of violence in Plateau State, describing the killings as a grave threat to national unity and security.

“These senseless acts of violence are unacceptable and pose a serious threat to national unity and security.

“The Council calls on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take urgent, decisive and sustained action to halt the violence, safeguard lives and property and restore peace to affected communities.

“It is imperative that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, along with their sponsors, are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice,” the statement added. (The PUNCH)

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