Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will not take any action on a court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) until it receives and reviews a certified true copy of the ruling.
The commission stated that its standard procedure requires the receipt of an official, certified document before it can process or act upon any legal decision affecting political party structures. Until this specific requirement is met, INEC indicated that the status of the ADC’s leadership remains unchanged in its records.
The announcement clarifies the administrative steps INEC must follow to ensure compliance with legal protocols. By waiting for the certified copy, the electoral body aims to verify the authenticity and finality of the court’s order before making any official adjustments to the party’s registration or leadership details.
This procedural stance highlights the formal relationship between Nigeria’s electoral authority and the judiciary. While courts have the power to adjudicate disputes over party leadership, INEC’s role is to maintain the official registry of political entities, a task that relies on receiving verified legal instruments.
The ADC, one of Nigeria’s major political parties, has faced internal leadership disputes that have frequently required judicial intervention. The current judgment nullifying the party’s leadership is the latest in a series of legal battles that have shaped the party’s structure in recent years.
INEC has not provided a specific timeline for when it expects to receive the certified copy of the judgment. However, the commission’s statement serves as a reminder to all political parties that legal victories in court must be formally communicated to the electoral commission to effectuate changes in their official standing.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>