Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Lafia, Nasarawa State, demanding the reinstatement of the party’s national executives allegedly removed from the commission’s portal.
The protesters, largely comprising women and youth, also called for the resignation of the INEC National Chairman over what they described as partiality and misinterpretation of a court judgment.
Addressing the demonstrators, the ADC Women Leader, Hafsat Ibrahim, insisted that the party remains united under the leadership of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
She alleged that the removal of their names from INEC’s records was done in bad faith and warned that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democratic system.
“We are calling on the National Chairman of INEC to resign.
That is not what we expect from an impartial electoral body.
Why should he interpret a court judgment to suit himself?” she said.
Ibrahim further claimed that INEC had indicated it would not recognise the party’s leadership after its national convention, a development she said prompted the protest.
She stressed that Nigeria must not slide into a one-party state, noting that citizens have a right to participate fully in the country’s democratic process.
“This is our country; we have nowhere else to go. We must have a say. We cannot accept a one-party system in Nigeria,” she said, while also calling on the international community to monitor the state of democracy in the country.
The protesters warned that they would return to occupy the INEC office if their demands are not met, vowing to sustain peaceful demonstrations within the ambit of the law.
Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Nasarawa State, Shehu Wahap, who received some of the protest leaders, commended them for their peaceful conduct and assured that their grievances would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
“In a democracy, citizens must not only have a voice but also participate in the process.
Your peaceful protest is noted, and your demands will be communicated,” he said.
Wahap expressed confidence that due process would prevail, adding that the rule of law would ultimately determine the outcome of the dispute.
He further encouraged citizens to remain engaged in democratic processes, assuring that INEC remains committed to delivering credible elections in Nasarawa State and across Nigeria.
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