African Democratic Congress members on Tuesday protested at the Jigawa State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Dutse, demanding recognition of their national leadership led by David Mark.
- +ADC supporters protest in Jigawa, ask INEC to recognise Mark
The protest comes as political tension builds in the state, with defections and leadership tussles intensifying ahead of parties’ primary elections and forthcoming nationwide polls.
The protest comes as political tension builds in the state, with defections and leadership tussles intensifying ahead of parties’ primary elections and forthcoming nationwide polls.
PUNCH Online gathered that members of the ADC marched peacefully to the INEC office in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Tuesday after the protest, the Jigawa ADC Youth Leader, Manniru Aminu, said INEC has no power to interpret court rulings.
Aminu stated that during the protest, the group submitted a petition accusing INEC of breaching democratic principles and exhibiting institutional bias in handling party matters.
He insisted that the national leadership led by David Mark remains the only constitutionally recognised authority of the ADC.
“INEC does not have the constitutional power to interpret court rulings. That responsibility lies with the judiciary,” Aminu said.
The youth leader, therefore, described the commission’s actions as a direct threat to democratic governance and political neutrality.
The group demanded the immediate restoration of the recognised ADC leadership on INEC’s official portal.
He also called for a public apology to Nigerians and accountability from the commission’s leadership.
Aminu further stated that the INEC National Chairman should resign or be removed over what the group described as unconstitutional actions.
Reacting when contacted by our correspondent, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Jigawa State, Ibrahim Idris, who received the protesters at the commission’s state headquarters in Dutse, assured all that their complaints would be forwarded to the national headquarters for consideration.
However, Idris declined further comments on the agitation and demands of the protesters, stating that only that the petition would be transmitted to the national headquarters.
Our correspondent reports that as political activities gather momentum nationwide, the protest highlights growing concerns over party leadership disputes and INEC’s role in maintaining public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
