The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Josh Amupitan has sent a strong warning to the African Democratic Congress, pointing out that the party going ahead with its planned congresses and national convention without following the rules could cancel any election victory they might win later.

Amupitan spoke during a television interview on Friday. He explained that the commission had already stopped recognising the current leaders of the ADC because of an ongoing court case. The party had said it would still hold its meetings, but the INEC boss made it clear that this move goes against a court order that is still in place.

Amupitan reminded the party that the court had directed all sides not to take any steps that could affect the case before it is decided. He said INEC did not make its decision on its own but acted because the court had already given instructions. The chairman stressed that the issue of congresses and conventions is right at the centre of the court matter.

He gave clear examples from the past to show what could happen. In Zamfara and Plateau states during previous elections, parties that ignored court orders saw their results thrown out. In those cases, the person who came second in the voting was declared the winner instead.

The INEC chairman said the party is free to make its own choices, but the commission does not want to face the same kind of problems again. He warned that defying the court could lead to serious legal trouble and even invalidate the entire election process for the ADC.

For now, the African Democratic Congress has been put on notice. Party leaders must decide whether to follow the court order or risk losing everything they hope to gain in future polls. The message from INEC is simple: obey the rules or face the consequences.