Armed soldiers and heavily equipped police operatives on Thursday took over the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja following threats of mass protest by members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), SaharaReporters has learnt.
Pictures obtained by SaharaReporters show a large deployment of Nigerian Army personnel stationed around the commission’s premises, alongside armoured tanks and officers of the Nigeria Police Force bearing assault rifles and other weapons.
The security presence comes amid rising tensions within the ADC over a deepening leadership crisis that has split the party into rival factions.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the show of force is linked to reports indicating that aggrieved members of the party were planning to stage a protest at the electoral body’s office over recent decisions affecting the party’s leadership structure.
On Wednesday, 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.
According to INEC, 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,” the commission had said.
INEC further disclosed 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.
Amid the confusion, the commission declared 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,” INEC stated.
The development has since triggered outrage among party members, some of whom accuse the electoral body of bias and political interference.
As of Thursday morning, security operatives had cordoned off parts of the INEC headquarters, restricting movement in and out of the facility, while maintaining a visible show of force to deter any potential unrest.