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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) loyal to Nafiu Bala Gombe stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding immediate compliance with a subsisting court order.
The protest, led by Dr. Abimiku Monday, Special Adviser on Strategy to the factional national chairman accused INEC of deliberately flouting a March 12, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which directed parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the matter before the Federal High Court.
The group described the Commission’s alleged refusal to obey the court order as a blatant assault on the rule of law and a dangerous precedent capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking during the protest at the INEC headquarters, Gombe said the Mark-led group has engaged in irregular processes, which includes the “unauthorised transfer of party leadership” and deploying “forged signatures” to legitimise its position.
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“The incident involving the unauthorised transfer of power to David Mark and his associates raises significant concerns regarding the integrity of governance and the rule of law,” he said.
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“The intruders, by rudely forging the signatures of genuine members and leaders of the ADC, not only undermined the democratic process but also violated the trust vested in these representatives by their constituents.
“Such actions reflect a troubling trend in which illegitimate means are employed to achieve political ends, thereby eroding public confidence in political institutions.
“The implications of this deceit extend beyond the immediate context, as they can foster a culture of impunity and disillusionment among the electorate.”
He implored relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure accountability, saying the multi-factional leadership crisis rocking the ADC began after the resignation of Ralph Nwosu as chairman.
Gombe asked INEC to update its official records to reflect his position as national chairman, reiterating that doing so would align with the court’s ruling and help restore stability within the party.
Responding to the protesters, Mohamed Ambrou, INEC’s Assistant Director of Security, said the Commission’s leadership was unavailable, as they are attending a workshop in Lagos.
He explained that the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners and Directors were all out of Abuja for the engagement, but assured the group that any document submitted would be delivered to the Chairman and would be attended to.
