ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY

A fresh political storm is brewing in Nigeria's opposition space as former national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has launched a scathing attack on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of acting under political influence in its recent decision to derecognise key leaders of the party.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Nwosu reacted strongly to INEC's removal of prominent political figures, including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, as the national chairman and secretary of the party, respectively.

INEC had justified its action by citing a court order directing it to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the resolution of a suit challenging the legality of the party's leadership. However, Nwosu dismissed the commission's interpretation of the ruling as fundamentally flawed and politically motivated.

In a bold and controversial statement, Nwosu alleged that both the electoral body and elements within the judiciary were being influenced by what he described as the "Jagaban of Nigerian politics,ÔÇØ a term widely associated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"The INEC interpretation is wrong, what the Appeal Court did is wrong, and they are all inspired by the Jagaban of Nigerian politics,ÔÇØ Nwosu declared.

He went further to allege bias within the leadership of the electoral commission, claiming that its chairman has affiliations with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a development he said raises serious concerns about neutrality and fairness in Nigeria's democratic process.

According to him, the situation reflects a broader pattern that has been unfolding in Nigeria's political system over the years.

"Since 2019, once an individual seized the politics of Lagos despite its diversity and continuously collapsed other parties to sing the APC song. Now as President, he imagines he can replicate the same across Nigeria, and that is what Nigerians are resisting,ÔÇØ Nwosu stated.

The ADC chieftain maintained that the party remains a strong platform for opposition and democratic resistance, insisting that the current developments go beyond internal party issues.

"It's not about me, not about ADC. We have provided Nigerians a clear vehicle to be able to resist this monstrous force,ÔÇØ he added.

The unfolding controversy has further intensified debates about the independence of electoral institutions, the role of the judiciary, and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria as the country gradually moves towards another election cycle.

Political observers say the accusations, if sustained, could deepen tensions between opposition parties and the ruling establishment, while also raising fresh concerns about the integrity of democratic processes in the country.