Civil Society Council defends INEC over ADC crisis, says criticism unnecessary

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) crisis, describing the wave of public criticism against the electoral body as unnecessary.

At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the council maintained that INEC’s decision to de-recognise the party’s faction was lawful and aligned with a Court of Appeal ruling delivered on March 12, 2026, which directed the restoration of the status quo.

NCSCN Executive Director, Blessing Akinlosotu, said the ADC crisis is an internal matter stemming from leadership disputes, stressing that INEC merely acted to implement a judicial directive. According to him, the commission’s action should not be interpreted as victimisation but as compliance with the law, noting that INEC was only a nominal party in the dispute.

“The legal blunder of challenging jurisdiction at the appellate level instead of arguing the merit at the trial court was a strategic choice by the party, not a fault of the commission. It is important that Nigerians understand that the commission was only a nominal party in the dispute,” Akinlosotu said.

The council further argued that the legal missteps in the case were the responsibility of the party, not the electoral body, and urged political actors to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act.

It also advised aggrieved members of the ADC to seek redress through the courts rather than resort to public attacks, adding that Nigeria’s democracy is evolving and must be guided by respect for due process.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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