Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, demanding compliance with a subsisting Court of Appeal judgment and the formal recognition of their preferred leader as the party’s legitimate chairman. The protest took place on Wednesday and was led by supporters of the faction loyal to Nafiu Bala Gombe, who carried placards and chanted slogans calling for the electoral body to obey the court and respect the constitution.
The demonstration stems from a protracted leadership crisis within the ADC, which has seen rival factions claim the party’s top leadership. One group supports former Senate President David Mark, while another backs Nafiu Bala Gombe. On March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered a judgment directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum — keeping the party’s leadership structure as it existed prior to the dispute — while the substantive case continues in the Federal High Court. The Bala faction has accused INEC of failing to fully implement this directive.
Addressing journalists and supporters outside the INEC headquarters, the Special Adviser on Strategy to the ADC chairman, Abimiku Monday, stressed that the court order is binding on all authorities. He noted that the faction had formally written to INEC on March 15, 2026, and followed up on March 27, demanding compliance within seven days or risk contempt proceedings. The protest leaders insisted that the demonstration was lawful and necessary to uphold the rule of law and democratic norms.
While the protest remained peaceful, security personnel prevented demonstrators from entering the INEC premises. Officials assured the protesters that the commission was aware of their concerns and would engage with representatives at a later time. INEC has recently removed the names of the David Mark-led National Working Committee from its portal as part of a neutral stance to comply with the court’s directive, though the Bala faction argued that further action was required to fully reflect the appellate judgment.
The ADC’s internal crisis highlights the broader challenges of party cohesion, judicial compliance, and institutional neutrality in Nigeria’s political landscape. The protest underscores the faction’s insistence that regulatory bodies, including INEC, adhere strictly to judicial rulings to maintain public trust in the electoral process. Analysts note that how INEC navigates such disputes may set important precedents ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly regarding impartiality and the enforcement of court directives within political parties.
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