Aviation minister Keyamo says ADC risks no candidates in coming elections, defends INEC decision, insists court case—not emotion—determines party leadership outcome.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing it of attempting to “use emotional reasoning and blackmail” to escape what he described as a legal dilemma of its own making.
In a statement shared via his official X handle, Keyamo said the dispute over the party’s leadership is a matter of law rather than sentiment, insisting that the courts—not emotions or political considerations—will determine the outcome.
He stated:“The David Mark’s faction of the ADC really think they can use emotional reasoning and blackmail to bluff their way out of a purely legal conundrum they brought upon themselves. Unfortunately for them, law does not admit of sentiment. Decisions are based on facts, evidence, and the interpretation of laws, rather than on sympathy, emotion or political considerations.”
Reacting to arguments around the concept of “status quo ante bellum,” Keyamo dismissed such interpretations as misplaced, insisting they distract from the core legal issue before the courts.
“All those who are arguing about ‘status quo ante bellum’ are dispensing their time and energy chasing shadows and not the substance,” he said.
According to him, the real issue is not INEC’s current recognition stance, but an ongoing court case challenging the party’s leadership structure.
“This is because whether INEC recognises either faction for now is irrelevant: what is relevant is that there is a challenge regarding the take-over of the Party pending in court by a duly elected Deputy National Chairman,” Keyamo said.
He warned that the continued legal tussle could have serious consequences for the party ahead of elections, noting that unresolved leadership disputes may invalidate its participation.
“As long as that case remains in court, all the actions of either faction MAY end up being nugatory AFTER the deadline for nominations of candidates by INEC. The implication is that the ADC may end up having NO CANDIDATE for the election,” he added.
Keyamo also defended INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition from the rival factions, describing it as a timely intervention rather than a political action.
“Therefore, instead of vilifying INEC, the ADC should rather thank INEC for this timely action of de-recognising both factions BEFORE the close of the window for nominating candidates. It has duly forewarned the Party of the danger ahead and opened a window for them to either find a new, risk-free platform or ask for accelerated hearing of the case in court, or politically settle the leadership question in the Party quickly,” he said.
He further accused party actors of political miscalculation and poor legal advice in their handling of internal disputes.
“To keep blaming imaginary opponents or INEC is purely mischievous: neither APC nor INEC prodded these grown adults and supposedly ‘experienced’ politicians to go and hijack an existing platform without sound legal advice and without properly sorting out every member of the leadership of that existing platform,” Keyamo stated.
While noting that the faction had indicated plans to proceed with congresses and conventions despite the court ruling and INEC’s position, he said such actions would not alter the legal realities.
“They say they will proceed with their congresses and Convention despite INEC’s decision and the ruling of the Court of Appeal. That is fine by us,” he said.
