ADC crisis: Ondo speaker defends INEC, rejects allegations of bias

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, has thrown his weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission amid the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress.

He dismissed claims that the electoral body was acting in a partisan manner, insisting that its decisions are anchored on legal procedures and constitutional provisions.

Speaking on Tuesday at the unveiling of the Funke Fadeni Foundation in Ondo State, Oladiji said the commission acted appropriately given the circumstances surrounding the party’s internal dispute.

“When a political party is divided into factions, INEC cannot recognise more than one leadership. The commission is simply upholding due process. Once such matters are already before a court of law, all parties involved must allow the judicial process to take its course without interference,” he said.

The Speaker further described allegations of bias against INEC as unfounded, stressing that the commission’s duty is to ensure order and legality in the electoral system.

INEC had recently faced backlash from some political figures after it declined to recognise a factional leadership within the ADC, a development that has deepened tensions within the party.