Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside their supporters, have taken to the streets in protest of the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
The protesters are gathered around Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory. INEC head office is in Maitama, mobilising to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Abuja.
According to pictures seen on X, leaders of the party, including former Nigerian vice president Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark and other ADC bigwigs were see leading the protest.
Also participating in the protest is former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The protest comes amid controversy surrounding INEC’s decision to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as leaders of the ADC.
Peter Obi had earlier called on Nigerians to join what he described as a fight against the “killing of democracy.”
“We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed. We say NO to a one-party system and for that today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land,” he wrote on X.
OSUN DEFENDER reported that INEC removed the names of the National Working Committee of the ADC led by Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal, citing a subsisting court dispute over the party’s leadership.
The electoral body also stated that it would suspend recognition of any faction or leadership of the ADC pending the final determination of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision was contained in a press statement issued last Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
However, the move has sparked anger and condemnation, with many accusing President Bola Tinubu of turning Nigeria into a one-party state by allegedly fuelling crises within opposition parties.
Announcing the decision, INEC said, “the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark… would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum.”
The commission explained that the court had directed all parties to maintain the situation as it existed before the suit was filed and to avoid actions that could undermine the ongoing proceedings.
“Parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court,” INEC quoted from the appellate court ruling.
INEC further disclosed that it received conflicting legal communications from parties involved in the dispute, with one faction warning against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman, while another demanded full enforcement of the appellate court’s judgment.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
