Accord Party Crisis Deepens: Protest at INEC Demands Enforcement of Court Order for Imumolen
In a significant escalation of its internal leadership crisis, members of the Accord Party staged a protest at the Abuja headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday. The demonstration centered on a critical demand: the immediate official recognition of Professor Christopher Imumolen as the party’s legitimate national chairman, in compliance with what they assert are subsisting court orders.
A Protest Rooted in Legal Frustration
The protesters, armed with placards and a formal petition, converged on Nigeria’s electoral regulatory body to voice their frustration over what they perceive as INEC’s selective application of the law. At the heart of the dispute is a fundamental question about the enforcement of judicial decisions and the neutrality of the electoral umpire in regulating political party affairs.
The Core Allegation: Selective Obedience to Court Orders
Speaking during the protest, Professor Imumolen, a former presidential candidate of the party, articulated the group’s primary grievance. He accused INEC of a troubling inconsistency, noting that the commission had complied with similar court orders against other parties, like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while failing to do so for the Accord Party.
“INEC should not be found supporting one faction over another, especially when there is a court order giving direction on what to do. A court order is not advisory; it is meant to be obeyed,” Imumolen stated. He emphasized the constitutional obligation of INEC to obey valid court orders, framing the issue as one of rule of law versus institutional impunity.
The Stakes: Control, Recognition, and Electoral Integrity
This conflict transcends a mere internal party squabble. The recognition of a national chairman by INEC carries profound implications:
- Legal Authority: The recognized chairman controls the party’s legal instruments, including its constitution and nomination processes for elections.
- Financial Control: Access to and management of party funds and assets are vested in the legitimate leadership.
- Candidate Nomination: INEC only accepts candidates submitted by the recognized leadership, determining who appears on the ballot under the party’s banner.
- Institutional Legitimacy: Persistent internal crises can erode public trust in a party and, by extension, challenge INEC’s role as an effective regulator.
Imumolen alleged that the rival faction, led by Maxwell Mgbudem, which INEC currently recognizes, has been “illegally removing state chairmen” who support the court-mandated leadership, further destabilizing the party’s structure across the nation.
Specific Demands and a Warning
The petition submitted to INEC outlined clear demands:
- Immediate recognition and listing of Prof. Chris Imumolen as National Chairman on INEC’s official website and records.
- Cessation of all recognition of Maxwell Mgbudem, citing a lack of court authorization for such recognition.
- Recognition of duly elected state chairmen in 18 affected states, including Zamfara, Lagos, Oyo, and the FCT, whose tenures are argued to be subsisting.
Imumolen issued a stark warning: “Failure to act accordingly risks placing INEC in direct conflict with judicial authorities and constitutional order.” He stopped short of calling for extra-legal actions but stressed the imperative of obeying judicial decisions to maintain social and political order.
INEC’s Response and the Path Forward
INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Zuru, who addressed the protesters, offered a measured, procedural response. “I will forward this to the commission, and it will look into whatever it is there and act appropriately,” he stated. This highlights INEC’s delicate position—it must navigate between feuding factions, respect judicial pronouncements, and ensure its actions are legally defensible, all while maintaining its credibility ahead of future elections.
READ ALSO; Why Accord party supported Makinde’s re-election – Peller
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Political System
This protest underscores a recurring challenge in Nigerian politics: the enforcement of court orders related to party internal democracy. When regulatory bodies are perceived as slow or selective in implementing judicial decisions, it can:
- Undermine the judiciary’s authority.
- Encourage factional impunity.
- Disenfranchise party members whose chosen leaders are not recognized.
- Create loopholes for electoral manipulation.
The Accord Party crisis serves as a critical test case for INEC’s capacity to manage party disputes impartially and in strict adherence to the rule of law. The commission’s subsequent action—or inaction—will be closely watched as a signal of its robustness as Nigeria’s electoral regulator.
(Source: News Agency of Nigeria)