ADC Faction Protests At INEC HQ, Accuses David Mark-led Group Of Hijacking Party

Factional ADC National Chairman Nafiu Gombe led a protest at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, calling on David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso to stop interfering in the party.

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

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

“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,” he said. “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.”

According to a report by PUNCH newspaper, Abejide echoed the call, urging the commission to resist what he described as an attempted takeover.

“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? The party constitution is clear: you must spend at least two years as an active member before aspiring for any position. These people are hijackers, and INEC must restore Nafiu Bala Gombe as national chairman,” he said.

Also speaking, ADC Director of Youths and Mobilisation, Mohammed Sahad, commended INEC for complying with a court order but urged the commission to affirm 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.