Ralph Nwosu, a former national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissed reports of a crisis within the party, maintaining that its structures remain stable despite recent disputes involving the electoral body and internal stakeholders.

Speaking in Abuja, Nwosu stated that the party remains functional and united.

“The party is intact, nothing is wrong with the party,” he said.

He, however, alleged that the reported challenges stemmed from external interference, particularly actions affecting the party’s identity and operations.

Nwosu pointed to the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission, suggesting that recent developments linked to the commission contributed to the ongoing concerns.

“There is something wrong with the identity of the party,” he said, adding that the situation represents the biggest scandal ever seen regarding political party management.

Drawing from what he described as over two decades of experience, Nwosu accused INEC of overstepping its legal boundaries.

“I have been in political party management for more than 20 years. I have not seen any INEC that could just take the law into its own hands and scandalize the entire system,” he said.

According to him, INEC’s role should be limited to working with party leadership to ensure compliance with procedures, rather than interfering in internal processes.

“What INEC does is work with party leaders to ensure that parties are held, and when they are held, they can fall aside,” he said.

He further accused the commission’s leadership of acting to favour the ruling party, describing such conduct as unlawful, saying, “INEC leadership to decide to truncate the law to please the party in power, and for that matter, it is a disgrace to the legal profession.

“It is a major disgrace not to know the law.”

The former chairman also called for the removal of the INEC chairman, alleging that there is evidence to support his claims.

“I think that the INEC chairman needs to be removed,” he said.

On internal party dynamics, Nwosu spoke about the role of a former party official, Nafiu Bala, noting that he had previously been involved in party activities and outreach efforts.

“We have all the forensics. Bala was involved in all the meetings. Bala was one of those who went around the North to market the ADC to the people, saying if we are going to build a coalition, that the North should embrace the ADC,” he said.

He suggested that external influence may have contributed to recent developments.

“There must have been something for him to be involved in what is involved with INEC,” he said, alleging that attempts to undermine the party’s coalition efforts, while claiming that some individuals had been influenced.

“This government does not want to fix any election; they don’t want a coalition,” he said.

He further alleged that certain individuals linked to the dispute were being funded and supported by political actors.

“Most of them now live in some of the biggest hotels in the country. At times, they fly private jets. I can tell you the places where they go.

“I know the governors who are funding them. I know the offices in Abuja, so we know all of these things.”

Despite the allegations, Nwosu maintained that the party would proceed with its planned activities, including its congress.

“The way forward is that the ADC is moving forward. We are going to continue and finish it. Nobody can stop it,” he said.

He added that INEC had been formally notified of the planned congress, saying, “We have already informed INEC that we are having a Congress. We sent them a letter, and they stamped it. Whether they come or they don’t come, it’s none of their business.

“Now, we are on the right track. We are on the right. INEC knows that they are wrong. So it’s now left to them to play whatever game they want to play.” (The Nation)