Planned ADC Protest: Soldiers, Armoured Tanks Deployed To INEC Headquarters

Armed soldiers and heavily equipped police operatives on Thursday took full control of the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters in Abuja. The massive deployment, complete with armoured tanks and officers carrying assault rifles, followed credible intelligence of an impending mass protest by aggrieved members of the African Democratic Congress.

NaijaChoice News gathered that the show of force was triggered by rising tensions inside the ADC, where rival factions are locked in a bitter leadership battle that has paralysed the party. Sources close to the situation told NaijaChoice News the protesters planned to storm the commission’s office over INEC’s latest decision on the party’s leadership structure.

The electoral body had on Wednesday struck out the names of former Senate President Senator David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively. INEC said the move was in line with preservatory orders from the Court of Appeal in the suit involving Mark and another chieftain, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe. The commission insisted it would maintain the status quo until the Federal High Court delivers a final verdict.

INEC further disclosed it had received conflicting letters from the warring camps. One group warned against recognising Gombe as acting chairman, while the other demanded full compliance with the appellate court ruling. In a clear statement, the commission declared it would no longer recognise any faction of the ADC or monitor any congresses and conventions called by either side.

“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.

Party members have reacted angrily to the development. Some accuse INEC of taking sides and interfering in internal party affairs, a claim the commission has consistently denied. As of Thursday morning, security agents had cordoned off sections of the INEC complex on Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, restricting movement in and out of the facility.

The ADC leadership crisis has lingered for months, splitting the party into two major camps and weakening its position as one of the emerging opposition platforms ahead of future elections. Political observers say the standoff underscores the fragility of opposition unity in Nigeria and the critical role of the judiciary and INEC in resolving such disputes without plunging the country into fresh political uncertainty.