The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress intensified on Thursday as a faction led by Nafiu Gombe, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja, demanding formal recognition.

Gombe, accompanied by a Kogi State lawmaker, Leke Abejide, and hundreds of supporters, accused the David Mark-led leadership of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership in defiance of its constitution and internal processes.

Addressing officials of the electoral body during the protest, Gombe insisted that due process must be followed in resolving the leadership dispute.

He said, “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.

“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, Abejide called on the commission to resist what he described as an attempted takeover of the party, stressing that the ADC constitution clearly outlines eligibility requirements for leadership positions.

“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?

“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,” he said.

In the same vein, the ADC Director of Youths and Mobilisation, Mohammed Sahad, commended INEC for complying with a court order but urged the commission to go further by affirming Gombe’s leadership.

“INEC has not erred in any way. In fact, we commend the commission for obeying the court order. But they need to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic national chairman of the ADC.

“INEC needs to do the right thing and do it now. That is why we are here,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the commission, INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, assured the protesters that their concerns would be reviewed.

“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.

The protest comes barely 24 hours after a rival faction of the party, led by former Senate President David Mark, staged a large demonstration in Abuja under the banner of #OccupyINEC, accusing the electoral body of actions they claimed undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership structure.

The demonstration, held at the Maitama Roundabout, drew several prominent political figures, including former presidential candidates and ex-governors, as well as hundreds of supporters, particularly members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

Participants at the protest were seen singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, despite its replacement on May 29, 2024, with the country’s 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” following a directive by President Bola Tinubu.

The back-to-back protests underscore the deepening rift within the ADC, raising concerns over the party’s stability ahead of future electoral contests. (The PUNCH)

•PHOTO: L-R: ADC Director of Youths and Mobilisation, Mohammed Sahad; Abimiku Monday; Kogi State lawmaker, Hon Leke Abejide and National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe during the protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

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