Security operatives on Thursday barricaded the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja amid reports of a planned protest linked to the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Gatekeepers News reports that a visit to the commission’s headquarters showed a heavy deployment of armed personnel stationed at key entry points, restricting movement in and out of the premises.
The security presence comprised officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The development follows heightened tension over INEC’s decision to de-recognise the faction of the ADC led by David Mark.
Earlier, the electoral body removed Mark, a former senate president, and Rauf Aregbesola, a former minister of interior, from its official portal as leaders of the party.
INEC said the action was in compliance with an order of the court of appeal directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the leadership dispute before a federal high court.
“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,” the commission said.
However, the Mark-led faction rejected INEC’s interpretation of the appellate court ruling, accusing the commission of acting under external pressure.
In a statement, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s national publicity secretary, alleged that the decision was influenced by a government unsettled by the growing strength of opposition forces.
“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling. We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties,” the statement read.
