Sen. David MarkNigeria’s political environment is gathering hot air as the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) suddenly woke up to disown the leadership of David Mark as national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leading to the deployment of security operatives to it’s headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s federal capital in anticipation of possible reaction.
Our Reporters said that as early as this morning, March 2, armed soldiers and police operatives had taken over INEC headquarters as news of mass protest by members of the ADC filtered in.
The reporters said that there’s a large deployment of Nigerian Army personnel at the commission’s premises, with armoured tanks and officers of the Nigeria Police Force brandishing assault rifles and other weapons.
Reports indicate that aggrieved members of the party were planning to stage a protest at the INEC’s office over the decisions affecting the party’s leadership structure.
Yesterday, INEC announced the removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC respectively, citing an ongoing court dispute.
The commission said it acted in compliance with “preservatory orders” issued by the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
INEC said that the order arose from a legal battle involving Mark and another party chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s leadership.
“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.”
INEC said that it had received conflicting communications from rival factions, with one group warning against recognising Gombe as acting chairman, while another demanded full implementation of the appellate court ruling.
Amidst the confusion, the commission said that it would suspend recognition of any faction of the ADC and refrain from engaging with any group until the court delivers a final judgment.
“The commission shall not receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups… and will not monitor any meeting, congress or convention convened on behalf of the ADC by any group.”
Meanwhile ADC has faulted INEC, saying that it acted outside the law by taking sides in the party’s leadership dispute.
The national publicity secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi argued that Bala no longer has the legal standing to act on behalf of the party as his tenure ended following his resignation and the dissolution of the executive committee he belonged to.
He said that the party’s National Executive Committee, as the next highest organ after the convention, had already taken binding decisions regarding the leadership structure.
The ADC spokesman questioned INEC’s actions, alleging that the commission was recognising moves by Bala despite being aware of his resignation.
He also criticised the commission’s conduct in relation to a directive of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo.
