US firm drags INEC-ADC crisis to Trump, congress

A United States-based policy firm, Von Batten-Montague York L.C., has said it will formally engage members of Congress and the administration of President Donald Trump over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to suspend recognition of the African Democratic Congress leadership.

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 surrounding its internal leadership dispute.

The development has raised concerns over the possible impact on preparations for next year’s presidential election.

In a statement issued 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.

According to the firm, the move has heightened worries about democratic participation and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“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 statement said.

The firm 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.

It further stressed 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.

The firm also urged 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.