Former Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the removal of David Mark as chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the decision as a “jankara interpretation” of a court ruling.

Melaye said this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“It’s explicit, it’s clear, but for them to give it a jankara interpretation and to suit their own purpose, knowing fully well that registration is ongoing, congresses are ongoing, and you want to leave us without a leader so that we would not be able to conduct all our congresses and even run primaries for us to produce people who will contest the election.

“They are joking. This country belongs to us. We will pursue it legally and also use all rights within the framework of the law.”

READ ALSO: INEC Discontinues Recognition Of David Mark-Led ADC

The ADC chieftain said they have taken legal action against INEC and are set to file another suit.

“And as I speak to you, we are even going to criminalise the activities of the officials of INEC because what they have done is criminal, and we are going to approach it from a criminal perspective in court because it’s a complete disobedience of a court order.”

‘INEC Has Taken Sides’

On the breakfast show, the ADC chieftain stated that INEC has taken sides by acting on a letter written by a man he said is no longer a member of the party.

“INEC as an institution has failed Nigerians and taken sides with a letter written by a man who is no longer a part of the party, who voluntarily resigned on the 17th of May. You should also ask about the meeting that took place in Lagos, including the head of the body of courts attending.

According to Melaye, “the country belongs to all of us. The government is not owned by those in power; it is owned by the people, and we will prove that the people own the government and that Nigeria belongs to all of us, and that the ADC will participate in this election and defeat Tinubu come May 29th,” he added.

‘Tinubu Wants To Be Coronated’

Speaking further, Melaye described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “desperate,” alleging that Tinubu wants to be coronated.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to be coronated. He doesn’t want an election; he just wants to be coronated. He wants us to practise a monarchical system of government—a ‘Kabiyesi’ mentality—where he would just be coronated.”

Melaye stated that the APC has seen the ADC as the only opposition in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is alarmed by the “exodus” of members to the party.

He also said there will be no “coronated” President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

APC Orchestrated Crisis

Melaye, however, claimed that the crisis currently rocking the ADC is an orchestrated plan by the APC.

“What happened yesterday was definitely motivated by the ruling party. It is not about the ADC or any one political party; it is about an affront to democracy, and every Nigerian should be concerned that the democracy of this country is about to be destroyed.”

He added that it is an attack on democracy and democratic institutions in the country by the ruling party.

Nafiu Gombe’s Resignation

Melaye also claimed he has certified copies of Nafiu Gombe’s resignation letter as ADC deputy chairman.

“He was never the deputy national chairman at the time he instituted that case. He was not a national executive or an official of the ADC because he had resigned his appointment as deputy national chairman. We have duly certified copies.”

The politician further explained that on May 17, 2025, Gombe voluntarily signed his resignation, which was accepted by the party and communicated to INEC. He added that INEC also acknowledged the development with a certified copy dated October 10, 2025.

ADC To Hold World Press Conference

Speaking further on the issue, Melaye disclosed that the ADC would hold a world press conference at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

He said the party’s decisions and strategies would be outlined during the conference.

“There will be a world press conference by 2 p.m. this afternoon by the leadership of the ADC.”

INEC on Thursday declared that it will no longer recognise correspondences from either the David-Mark led or Rafiu Bala faction of the ADC, following it’s review of the Court of Appeal judgement delivered on March 12.

In a statement signed by the chairman of Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu, added that the commission will no longer engage with either faction or monitor their meetings, congresses, or conventions pending the determination of the case before the Federal High Court.

The commission further announced that it would remove the names of David Mark from the INEC portal.