*Nwosu: ADC Will Proceed With Congresses, Convention Despite Leadership Crisis
FOLLOWING Wednesday, April 8, protest at the Abuja headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the faction led by Nafiu Gombe, on Thursday, April 9, marched to the electoral body’s office headquarters, demanding formal recognition.
Gombe, accompanied by a member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, Leke Abejide, and hundreds of supporters, accused the Mark-led leadership of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership, in defiance of its constitution and internal processes.
Addressing INEC officials during the protest, Gombe insisted that due process must be followed in resolving the leadership dispute, adding: “We are here to urge INEC to follow due process. You cannot come to the ADC through the window and expect to overturn the owners of the ADC.
“As democrats, we don’t want any moneybags to come and destroy democracy. The ADC is for all Nigerians from wards, states to national levels.”
Also speaking, Abejide urged INEC to resist what he described as an attempted takeover of the party, saying the party’s constitution clearly outlines eligibility requirements for leadership positions.
“We are here to urge INEC to do the right thing and rescue democracy from the hands of usurpers. How do you come to a party and attempt to hijack the leadership on the same day? Which political platform is that done?
“The party constitution is clear about this: You have to spend at least two years in the ADC as an active member before you can aspire for any position.
“It is clear that the Commission has not erred. These people are hijackers and INEC must follow through on reverting to status quo ante bellum by recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as the national chairman of the party.”
Responding on behalf of INEC, National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, assured the protesters that their concerns would be reviewed.
He stated: “I am here on behalf of the chairman and I believe INEC, as a Commission, will look at your letter and give you feedback.
“Thank you for being orderly with your protest.”
Meanwhile, former national chairman of the party, Ralphs Okey Nwosu, has insisted the party will continue preparations for its convention and congresses and won’t be distracted by the leadership crisis rocking the party.
Speaking on a television programme on Thursday, Nwosu stated: “We are taking the necessary action both in court and with INEC, but we will not allow INEC to derail any of our programmes. After that malicious INEC release, our chairman and the rest of us sat together and decided to move ahead.
“We submitted our programme to INEC according to the law, and they endorsed it; all the dates were endorsed. By the electoral law, whether they show up or not is their own volition; we have not violated anything.
“The congresses have already started. Our national convention, slated for the 14th, will also go on, where we will validate everything we’ve done. We don’t want opportunists in the ADC; we want mission-driven leaders who have the courage to challenge a bad system.”
He said the party will inform INEC of its programmes, including “our upcoming national convention to select our presidential and general candidates,” adding: “If they don’t accept it, we will publish it to all Nigerian media, because they represent the people.”
