US firm to report INEC-ADC crisis to Trump, Congress

A United States-based policy firm, Von Batten-Montague York L.C., says it will formally engage members of Congress and President Donald Trump over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC's, decision, delisting the African Democratic Congress, ADC, leadership from its website.

INEC had earlier this week announced the withdrawal of recognition for the ADC leadership and suspended all official dealings with the party pending the outcome of ongoing litigation over leadership crises, raising concerns over the possible impact on the party's preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement on Friday, the U.S. firm warned that INEC’s decision had effectively placed Nigeria’s main opposition party in a difficult position at a crucial stage of the electoral process, thus heighten8 worries about democratic participation and the credibility of the electoral process.

“The suspension of recognition of the ADC leadership has effectively frozen the country’s leading opposition party at a critical moment as it prepares for the presidential election,” the firm added. 

It also noted that any development capable of disrupting political participation, creating institutional uncertainty, or undermining confidence in the independence of the electoral body should be urgently addressed, pointing out that Nigeria’s role as Africa’s largest democracy and a strategic partner of the United States in regional security, economic cooperation, and counterterrorism makes the integrity of its electoral process a matter of international concern.

As a result, Von Batten-Montague York L.C. said it would take its concerns to U.S. lawmakers and the Trump camp to keep the issue of credible elections in Nigeria on the global agenda, and asked 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the conduct and outcome of the forthcoming elections remain transparent, credible, and fully reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.