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Nigerian Party ADC Opts for Engagement Over Election Challenge in Ekiti
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Nigerian Party ADC Opts for Engagement Over Election Challenge in Ekiti

From Premium Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State, Nigeria, will not challenge the recent governorship election results at the tribunal.
  • The party cited a preference for "constructive engagement" and grassroots rebuilding over litigation.
  • The ADC aims to focus on reconciliation, mobilization, and strengthening its structures for the 2027 general elections.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nigeria's Ekiti State has announced it will forgo challenging the June 20 governorship election results at the Election Petition Tribunal. Instead, the party leadership has opted for a strategy of "constructive engagement" and internal repositioning, focusing on grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections. This decision was formalized in a communiqué following a State Executive Council meeting in Ado Ekiti.

The party's leadership, including State Chairman Bamidele Ekunola and State Publicity Secretary Olugboyega Aribisogan, stated that litigation would not serve the best interests of its members, supporters, or the people of Ekiti State. While acknowledging potential reservations about aspects of the electoral process, the ADC leadership emphasized a commitment to dialogue and rebuilding over protracted legal battles.

While we may have reservations about aspects of the electoral process, the party chooses the path of constructive engagement over protracted litigation.

— ADC CommuniquéExplaining the party's decision not to challenge the election results in court.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner, with Oyebanji securing 319,231 votes. The ADC's candidate, Oluwadare Bejide, finished third with 12,872 votes, behind Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The ADC's State Executive Council has directed all party organs to shift focus towards reconciliation, mobilizing support across the state's 177 wards, and strengthening the party's infrastructure.

To facilitate this, the ADC plans to establish a State Repositioning and Restructuring Committee to outline a roadmap for reactivation, candidate selection, and training. Additionally, a committee will be formed to mobilize grassroots support for national candidates and coordinate voter education. The party reaffirmed its commitment to discipline and investigating anti-party activities, while also aiming to provide credible opposition and hold the current government accountable.

litigation would not serve the greater interests of its members, supporters, and the people of Ekiti State.

— ADC CommuniquéFurther justification for the party's decision to avoid the election tribunal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Premium Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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