The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may consider the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) next week, following the expected return of its chairman from an official engagement.

A National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in a telephone interview while responding to questions about the commission’s receipt of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the High Court judgment on the dispute.

Haruna said that as of Tuesday night, the commission had yet to receive the certified judgment but had received the ADC’s appeal against the ruling and its application for a stay of execution.

“I’m not aware we received the CTC. We still haven’t received it,” Haruna said.

“What we had received was the appeal by ADC and the application for a stay. I think those ones were received. But as for the certified true copy of the judgement, we still haven’t received it,” he added.

On when INEC might consider the dispute, Haruna said the matter would have to be deliberated on at a commission meeting.

He explained that the commission’s chairman was currently away on an official engagement and would not be available for its scheduled meeting.

According to him, INEC usually holds meetings on Thursdays, although Tuesdays are occasionally used.

With the chairman expected to return on Sunday, Haruna said the commission could meet on Tuesday or Thursday next week.

“As soon as he’s back, I’m sure we’ll probably hold a meeting,” he said.

When asked whether Tuesday was a possible date, he replied: “Possibly even Tuesday. Because I think he should be back before then.”

However, he cautioned that the proposed dates were not definite, noting that he could not guarantee when the commission would meet or reach a decision.

The commission’s consideration of the dispute will depend partly on the receipt of the certified judgment and the availability of the chairman and other commissioners.