By John Alechenu
ABUJA — A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Teejay Yusuf, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to focus on resolving the internal crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) rather than blaming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the party’s challenges.
Yusuf made the call in Abuja on Tuesday, describing Atiku’s allegations against INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, as an attempt to shift attention from leadership challenges within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku had alleged that Amupitan’s appointment was aimed at weakening opposition parties by creating divisions within their ranks.
Reacting, Yusuf dismissed the claim, saying political parties must take responsibility for their internal structures, leadership disputes and decision-making processes.
He said: “One of Atiku’s greatest leadership shortcomings is his inability to recognise the obvious challenges confronting the ADC. Rather than confronting these realities with honesty and taking responsibility, he consistently looks for others to blame.
“True leadership demands self-reflection, accountability, and the courage to address internal weaknesses before pointing fingers elsewhere.”
The former lawmaker said Nigeria’s democracy depends on strong institutions and responsible conduct by political actors, warning that unsubstantiated attacks on INEC could erode public confidence in the electoral system.
According to him, while INEC’s role is to regulate elections, political parties are responsible for managing their internal affairs through constitutional and democratic processes.
“Political disputes do not begin at INEC. They begin within political organisations when there are disagreements over leadership, structures, and decision-making. The solution is not to blame institutions but to resolve those disputes through democratic means,” he said.
Yusuf added that Nigerians deserve leaders who can identify challenges, accept responsibility and provide solutions rather than shift blame.
He urged politicians preparing for the 2027 elections to focus on issue-based campaigns and respect for democratic institutions, saying the country’s democracy would be strengthened when leaders build confidence in the electoral process.
