ADC Crisis: INEC Officials Allegedly Bribed to Remove Party Leadership – Aisha Yesufu

Political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has alleged that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were bribed to remove the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Yesufu made the claim on Monday during a live interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.

The co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls Movement also alleged that there were reports suggesting that the INEC Chairman was threatened into taking the action.

Recall that INEC recently removed former Senate President, David Mark, as the National Chairman of the ADC.

Speaking during the interview, Yesufu raised concerns over alleged inducements involving electoral officials.

“There are reports that INEC officials were allegedly bribed with monies up to $50,000, and lands were given. Where is the EFCC and ICPC in all of this?” she said.

She further criticised the judiciary, accusing it of being compromised by political interests.

“The judiciary has turned itself into the plate of corrupt politicians. And that’s not what it should be. You’re having places where houses are being built for them, where all sorts of meetings are going on and stuff like that. Then that’s what worries every one of us,” she stated.

Yesufu stressed the need for independence, accountability, and transparency in democratic institutions.

“My thinking is that one institution should be independent, and if you have institutions that are independent, not the one that you’re hearing people being threatened.

“If there is independence, if there’s accountability, transparency, we don’t have all of these shenanigans going on,” she added.

She also expressed concern over what she described as the use of institutions to suppress opposition voices.

“When you see the institutions, and also the judiciary, have turned themselves into weapon of oppression, willing tool of oppression against opposition parties, then that’s something that worries us, and the democracy of our country,” Yesufu said.

The activist further warned against actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic system.

“This democracy, by the way, many people died for it for us to have what we have today, and we cannot have a few people come and destroy it just because they want to hang on to power that they are not deserving of,” she added.