The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Thursday as a faction led by Nafiu Bala staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, pressing for formal recognition.
The group, which arrived at the commission’s office with hundreds of supporters, was accompanied by a member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, Leke Abejide.
The protesters accused a rival faction aligned with former Senate President David Mark of attempting to seize control of the party’s leadership in breach of its constitution.
Addressing INEC officials, Bala called on the electoral body to strictly follow due process in handling the dispute.
“We are here to urge INEC to follow due process. You cannot come to the ADC through the window and expect to overturn the owners of the ADC,” he said.
“As democrats, we don’t want any moneybags to come and destroy democracy. The ADC is for all Nigerians from wards, states to national levels.”
Also speaking during the protest, Abejide warned against what he described as an effort to hijack the party, insisting that the ADC’s constitution clearly outlines the requirements for leadership eligibility.
“We are here to urge INEC to do the right thing and rescue democracy from the hands of usurpers. How do you come to a party and attempt to hijack the leadership on the same day? Which political platform is that done?” he said.
“The party constitution is clear about this. You have to spend at least two years in the ADC as an active member before you can aspire for any position. It is clear that the commission has not erred. These people are hijackers and INEC must follow through on reverting to status quo ante bellum by recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as the national chairman of the party.”
In response, INEC National Commissioner Abdullahi Abdu Zuru assured the protesters that their grievances would be considered.
“I am here on behalf of the chairman and I believe INEC as a commission will look at your letter and give you feedback. Thank you for being orderly with your protest,” he said.
Thursday’s demonstration comes amid growing tensions within the ADC, following a separate protest a day earlier by another faction backing the David Mark-led leadership. That protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew several prominent opposition figures and supporters to the commission’s headquarters.
Participants in the earlier march converged at the Maitama Roundabout, where hundreds of supporters were seen chanting and singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, despite its replacement on May 29, 2024, with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”