Amid deepening cracks inside the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ondo state Legal professional-Basic and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo (SAN), has mounted a strong defence of the chairman of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), dismissing requires his elimination as reckless and anti-democratic.
Dr Ajulo warned that rising assaults from a faction inside the ADC over INEC’s refusal to recognise its management declare pose a direct threat to Nigeria’s constitutional order and democratic stability.
On the centre of the controversy is INEC’s insistence on recognising solely get together management backed by legitimate and subsisting court docket judgments, a stance Dr Ajulo says is just not non-compulsory, however a constitutional obligation.
The Courtroom of Enchantment in Abuja delivered judgment on the ADC management disaster case on March 12, 2026. The court docket dismissed an attraction filed by the faction led by David Mark and directed all events to take care of the established order ante bellum, affecting management recognition.
Based on him, Part 285 of the 1999 Structure (as amended), alongside the Electoral Act 2022, leaves no room for discretion, mandating INEC to behave strictly in compliance with judicial pronouncements.
He confused that the fee’s place is firmly rooted in legislation, not politics.
Based on him, “The courts have spoken and their selections stay binding till put aside via due course of. They don’t seem to be mere opinions to be ignored when inconvenient.”
He accused the aggrieved faction of making an attempt to bypass each the ADC’s inside structure and established authorized procedures in its quest for management, solely to show round and assault establishments implementing the legislation.
Dr Ajulo described such conduct as harmful, warning that undermining judicial authority for political achieve might erode the very basis of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The rule of legislation is the spine of any enduring democratic system. It ensures that no particular person or group can bend the foundations to go well with private ambition,” he mentioned.
The realized silk additional dismissed requires Amupitan’s resignation as an try and intimidate INEC into submission, insisting that the electoral physique should stay unbiased and guided solely by authorized ideas.
“Prof Amupitan has not taken sides. He has merely given impact to subsisting judicial authority with professionalism and restraint”, Dr Ajulo added.
The Legal professional-Basic urged the INEC chairman to stay steadfast, emphasizing that upholding the legislation, even within the face of political stress, is the true take a look at of institutional integrity.
Dr Ajulo additionally reaffirmed his personal dedication to constitutional ideas, noting that his intervention was pushed not by politics, however by obligation.
“In occasions like this, silence is just not an choice. Those that perceive the legislation should converse, whatever the penalties”.
He concluded with a powerful reminder that Nigeria’s democratic future will depend on respect for its establishments and adherence to the rule of legislation.
“The courts are the ultimate arbiters. Their selections should be obeyed — not debated within the court docket of public opinion,” he confused.
Dr Ajulo maintained that slightly than condemnation, the INEC chairman deserves recognition for upholding constitutional supremacy and defending the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
The realized silk whereas justifying his intervention within the topical nationwide situation mentioned as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he owes it an obligation with out regards to his present workplace to be on the aspect of the legislation, at all times.