A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, of making misleading claims over the party’s planned congresses and convention.
Okonkwo, reacting via his X handle on Friday, described Amupitan as “a liar,” alleging that his remarks were aimed at discouraging the ADC from proceeding with its internal processes ahead of the 2027 elections.
He was responding to comments by the INEC chairman on Arise News, where Amupitan warned that the ADC risks a situation similar to past electoral crises in Zamfara and Rivers States if it proceeds with its congresses without complying with court orders.
Recall that INEC had said it removed the names of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.
INEC further disclosed that it has suspended recognition of all factions within the party and will not monitor any conventions or congresses organised by the rival groups pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
However, Okonkwo dismissed the comparison, insisting that the situations in Zamfara and Rivers were based on disobedience to court rulings, not directives from INEC.
He argued that no court has barred the ADC from conducting its congresses or primaries, adding that the party had fulfilled its legal obligation by notifying INEC within the required 21 days.
“INEC is not a court and has no role in any party’s primaries or congresses. Its role is merely observatory,” he stated.
Okonkwo further alleged that Amupitan’s comments revealed an ulterior motive to derail the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
“It is clear he is trying to discourage ADC from going ahead, knowing full well that this will mark the end of ADC participation in 2027,” he said.
He also described the ongoing dispute within the party as a “hostile takeover attempt” allegedly backed by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, claiming that certain actors were using a former member of the ADC’s National Working Committee to advance the plot.
Okonkwo maintained that the matter currently before the court is unrelated to the conduct of congresses and primaries, noting that the legal dispute began before such issues arose.
He insisted that those behind the alleged plot would fail, stressing that the party remains committed to proceeding with its scheduled congresses and national convention.
He wrote: “Amupitan incompetently compared ADC’s situation with Zamfara and Rivers. I really pity this Prof’s interpretation of facts and law. He is not displaying intelligence in lying. The issue of Zamfara and Rivers was hinged on disobedience to court orders, not INEC directives. No court has ordered ADC not to proceed with its congresses and primaries. INEC is not a court and has no role in any party’s primaries or congresses. Its role is observatory, which is not compulsory on it to do. The mandatory issue is the giving of 21 days’ notice to INEC for the congresses which ADC had done.
“It is pertinent to note that Amupitan exposed his intent unknowingly here when he was trying to discourage ADC from going on with the congresses and primaries knowing full well that this will mark the end of ADC participation in 2027. This man is dubious.
“The members who took their parties to court in Zamfara and Rivers were against the manner of conduct of congresses and primaries. It was not a party leadership struggle. The ADC situation is a hostile takeover attempt of ADC by APC using a resigned member of the NWC of ADC and Amupitan as the arrow heads. They will fail. The matter has nothing to do with congresses and primaries. When the matter started in court on 2 September 2025, the issue of congresses and primaries had not arisen. Shame on Amupitan, the liar!”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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