The internal leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensified on Thursday as supporters of a faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
The protesters, led by Gombe and accompanied by Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, demanded that the electoral commission formally recognise their leadership of the party.
Addressing officials of the commission during the protest, Gombe accused a rival faction led by former Senate President David Mark of attempting to take control of the party through what he described as unconstitutional means.
According to him, INEC must strictly adhere to due process and respect the party’s internal rules in addressing the leadership tussle.
“We are here to urge INEC to follow due process. You cannot enter the ADC through the back door and attempt to displace those who built the party structure,” Gombe said.
He further warned against what he described as the influence of “moneybags” seeking to undermine democratic processes within the party.
“As democrats, we cannot allow wealthy individuals to destroy democracy. The ADC belongs to Nigerians at every level, from the wards to the national leadership,” he added.
Also speaking during the protest, Abejide called on INEC to resist any move that would allow individuals who recently joined the party to take over its leadership.
He maintained that the ADC constitution clearly outlines the requirements for holding party offices, insisting that aspiring leaders must have been active members of the party for at least two years.
“We are here to urge INEC to do the right thing and protect democracy from those trying to usurp the leadership of the party,” Abejide said.
“The constitution of the ADC is clear on eligibility. Anyone seeking a leadership position must have been an active member for at least two years. The commission should therefore restore the status quo by recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as the national chairman.”
Similarly, the party’s Director of Youths and Mobilisation, Mohammed Sahad, praised INEC for complying with a court order related to the dispute but urged the commission to go a step further by officially affirming Gombe as the legitimate national chairman.
“INEC has acted within the law and we commend the commission for obeying the court order. However, we believe the next step should be to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic national chairman of the ADC,” he said.
Responding to the protesters, INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, assured the group that the commission would carefully review their petition.
“I am here on behalf of the chairman. The commission will examine your letter and provide an appropriate response. We appreciate the orderly manner in which this protest was conducted,” Zuru said.
The demonstration came less than 24 hours after a rival faction of the party loyal to former Senate President David Mark organised a separate protest in Abuja under the banner #OccupyINEC.
The earlier protest, which took place at the Maitama Roundabout, attracted several notable political figures, including former presidential candidates, ex-governors and hundreds of supporters.
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