Party Crisis: African Democratic Congress chieftains take protest to electoral commission headquarters
The leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Maitama district of Abuja.
Penpushing reports that protest led by a factional National Chairman of the party, David Mark, also include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
They include National Secretary, of the party Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Sokoto State Governor and serving senator, Aminu Tambuwal; former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and former senator, Dino Melaye.
Penpushing further reports that the protesters carried placards and banners with inscriptions such as, “Tinubu, let our Democracy breathe”, “Falle daya ce, one term president”, and “I stand with ADC, I stand with Democracy” among others.
The protesters had accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of siding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to block its chances of fielding candidates in 2027.
Penpushing also reports that they accused the electoral body on suspension of the party’s recognition over a leadership dispute between the Mark-led leadership of the party and Nafiu Bala, a former national vice chairman of the party, who claimed he never resigned.
The electoral commission it would be recalled had suspended the recognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) last week, in compliance with the Court of Appeal ruling that directed the parties to the suit at the Federal High Court, including the commission, to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the leadership crisis in the opposition party.
Penpushing reports that Bala had challenged Mark’s emergence as the party’s national chairman following the resignation of Ralph Nwosu from the position, insisting that he (Bala) should assume leadership of the party after Nwosu’s resignation, in line with the party’s constitution.
The case is still pending at the European Parliament; however, Mark’s camp filed an interlocutory appeal ahead of the Federal High Court’s judgment, but was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Penpushing further reports that the appellate court in dismissing the appeal, asked all parties to maintain the status quo until the lower court ruled on the substantive suit, and in compliance with the order, the electoral commission stopped dealing with any of the factions until the case at the Federal High Court is determined.
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