INEC No Recognise ADC Leaders, Obidient Movement Don Plan Nationwide Protest

Wahala dey for African Democratic Congress (ADC) as INEC don wash hand comot from di party leadership matter. Di electoral body say dem no go recognise any side for now, and dis one don cause serious tension for opposition camp wey dey prepare for 2027 election.

Na two big men dey fight for who be di real chairman of ADC. On one side na David Mark, former senate president wey some big politicians like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir el-Rufai dey support. On di other side na Nafiu Bala, one deputy national chairman wey say according to party constitution, na im suppose take over after di former chairman resign.

Di whole matter don reach court. Nafiu Bala first carry David Mark and INEC go Federal High Court for Abuja. Im want court to stop Mark from parading himself as chairman. But di judge, Emeka Nwite, only tell dem make dem put INEC on notice.

David Mark no gree with dat small ruling, so im carry di matter go Court of Appeal. But di appeal court panel under Uchechukwu Onyemenam dismiss Mark case completely. Dem say di appeal no correct, and dem even fine Mark N2 million. Di court say make everybody maintain status quo – dat means make nobody do anything wey go affect di main case wey still dey for Federal High Court.

Now INEC don enter di matter. Mohammed Haruna, INEC commissioner for information, announce say because of di court wahala, INEC no go recognise any of di two factions. Dem don even remove David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola name from INEC portal as chairman and secretary of ADC.

But INEC say dem no go recognise Nafiu Bala too. Why? Because if dem recognise am, dat one go mean INEC don take side before court decide di main case. So INEC say dem dey maintain “status quo ante bellum” – dat na big grammar meaning make everything return to how e be before September 2, 2025 when di case start.

Dis INEC decision don cause serious vibration for opposition. Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, don talk say whether INEC like am or not, ADC go hold dia congresses and convention. But di bigger wahala na say Obidient Movement don enter di matter.

Obidient Movement, di group wey dey support Peter Obi, don announce nationwide protest wey dem call #OccupyINEC. Dem say di protest na to “defend Nigeria democracy.” Dem accuse INEC of being compromised under di present administration.

For dia statement, Obidient Movement talk say: “When institutions lose credibility, di will of di people dey endangered. And when dat happen, citizens get duty to act.” Dem plan to start di protest from ADC National Headquarters for Abuja, march go INEC Headquarters.

Di timing of all dis wahala no good at all for opposition wey dey try to unite against APC for 2027. Just nine months to di presidential election, and di party wey many big politicians dey run to dey tear itself apart. PDP and Labour Party don already get dia own internal crisis, now ADC join di list.

Meanwhile, Obidient Movement don make am clear say dem no go support any alliance wey no make Peter Obi di presidential flagbearer. Dem talk say any arrangement without Obi as candidate na dead on arrival. Dem even talk say Atiku Abubakar suppose support Obi.

As dis drama dey play out, political observers dey watch to see how di Federal High Court go decide di main case between David Mark and Nafiu Bala. Di court order for accelerated hearing, but for Nigerian court system, “accelerated” sometimes still take time.

For now, ADC dey in limbo. INEC no dey recognise dia leaders. Two factions dey claim leadership. Obidient Movement dey plan protest. And 2027 dey draw closer every day. Na real political drama wey go affect di future of opposition politics for Nigeria.