The African Democratic Congress has escalated its defence of its leadership structure by publishing an affidavit it said was issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, affirming the legitimacy of its National Working Committee led by David Mark.
As reported by Arise News, the document, dated September 12, 2025, was made public by the party on Tuesday amid the lingering leadership crisis rocking its ranks.
According to the ADC, the affidavit confirmed that the transition process which produced the current leadership, including former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, had been duly concluded and recognised by the electoral body prior to the date in question.
The party stated that specific provisions in the document, particularly Clauses 14 to 19, clearly indicated that the leadership arrangement was settled and acknowledged as an internal affair of the party.
It argued that the affidavit further underscored the long-standing principle that matters relating to party leadership fall within the exclusive domain of political parties and are not subject to judicial interference.
Relying on the document, the ADC raised alarm over what it described as attempts to undermine democratic institutions, warning against external interference in its internal processes.
The party accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of allegedly deploying state institutions to weaken opposition platforms, a move it claimed could pave the way for a one-party system.
It also expressed concerns over the role of the INEC Chairman, Josh Amupitan, alleging that the electoral body’s actions risk eroding its neutrality and independence.
The ADC cautioned that any perception of bias by the commission could damage public confidence in the electoral process and undermine the credibility of future elections.
Reaffirming its stance, the party maintained that democracy could only thrive where institutions operate without partisanship, insisting that the sanctity of the electoral system must be protected from undue influence.