The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will not act on the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) until it officially receives a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling. ​
Addressing press briefings and legal inquiries in Abuja on Monday, November 9, 2026, and Wednesday, November 11, 2026, official representatives of the commission emphasized that INEC operates strictly on verified judicial documents rather than media reports.
Speaking at a press conference on the national voter register on Monday, November 9, 2026, in Abuja, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan clarified that the commission has yet to receive the CTC regarding the court order affecting the ADC leadership.
Reinforcing this position on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, noted that the legal department has initiated standard procedures to obtain the document from the court registry, a process that typically takes up to a week.
The Court Verdit Delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice James Omotosho (in a suit presided over alongside orders from Justice Lifu in connected suits) invalidated decisions taken during the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The ruling effectively set aside the National Working Committee (NWC) leadership structure led by former Senate President Senator David Mark as National Chairman and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary. On Friday, November 6, 2026, the ADC filed a formal notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
ADC Director of Strategic Communication Phrank Shaibu issued a statement cautioning INEC against taking any premature action while the matter is pending before the appellate court.
On Wednesday morning, November 11, 2026, political supporters and party faithful gathered outside the Federal High Court complex in Abuja to protest the delay in the release of the certified ruling, urging the judiciary to release the CTC to facilitate the legal appeal process without administrative bottlenecks. ​
INEC confirmed that once the certified true copy is officially served and reviewed by its legal department, the Commission will convene to deliberate and determine its position in line with the Electoral Act and judicial directives.
