Leaders of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Wednesday, met with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Abuja.
The ADC leaders had earlier staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, accusing the electoral umpire of partisanship over its stance on the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting which held at the Apo Quarters residence of the ADC national chairman, Senator David Mark; Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, said the visit was in solidarity with the ADC, in view of what is happening to opposition parties in the country.
“We came here to visit the leadership of ADC. We’re on a solidarity visit. We’ve seen what has been happening within the political space before and the protest today. So, we came to show solidarity and to commit to a truly democratic space in our country”, he said.
In its own statement, the PDP said the visit was over the recent “attacks targeted at Nigeria’s opposition parties”.
“During the visit, the PDP acknowledged the growing and shared threat confronting opposition political parties in the country, noting that similar pressures have been experienced by the PDP in recent times.
“The delegation emphasised the need for vigilance in the face of actions capable of undermining democratic principles and political plurality, ” PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong said.
Others present at the meeting were; Senator David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi.
Others are: former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Aminu Tambuwal.
On the side of the PDP were; Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, factional National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, Professor Jerry Gana, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu and other members of the National Working Committee of the PDP.
In their response, the ADC leadership expressed appreciation to the PDP for the visit and reiterated what it called existential threat facing democracy in Nigeria, particularly through the weakening of major opposition parties. Both parties affirmed the need for continued engagement in defence of democratic values and institutions.
Those that took part in the earlier protest to INEC include; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi; his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) counterpart, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark.
Others, who also joined the protest were former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal among others.
The crisis rocking the ADC reached its crescendo when INEC decided not to recognize David Mark and others as leaders of the party.
INEC also removed the name of the national chairman and secretary, from its portal, basing its action on the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
Also, Nafiu Bala, who was Deputy National Vice Chairman of the ADC, said he had rejected the ratification of Mark as National Chairman in July, insisting that the previous NWC of the party resigned and was supposed to take over as chairman.
He also sought a court order asking INEC to recognise him as acting national chairman.
On Tuesday, some state chairmen of the party loyal to Dumebi Kachikwu, appointed a new caretaker leadership, saying because of the stance of INEC, they could not allow a vacuum.
The new leadership promised to liaise with INEC to recognise them, promising that a new national convention will be held soon.
Meanwhile, the protest by the leaders began from Maitama roundabout and headed to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Reacting to the protest, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a post on X, stated that the action was against “the injustice and high-handedness of the the electoral body towards the party”.
A few days ago, the ADC Youth Wing threatened to occupy INEC offices across the country if the commission failed to restore the Senator Mark-led leadership on its portal within 72 hours.
ADC vows coordinated civil action against INEC
In a letter submitted during the protest, the ADC, while asking the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to resign, also told the electoral umpire to reverse itself on the recognition of the party, adding that failure to do that will force the group to institute a civil action against the commission.
“We are demanding your immediate resignation from office in the interest of preserving the integrity of INEC; or your immediate removal by the appropriate constitutional authorities for gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of constitutional boundaries,” the ADC said.
The party is also demanding the immediate withdrawal of “INEC’s offensive correspondence to the ADC. A formal apology to the party; and a clear commitment to refrain from further interference in the internal affairs of political parties.”
It said failure to comply “will leave us with no option but to activate all lawful and constitutional mechanisms to ensure accountability, including judicial proceedings and coordinated civil action.”
ADC also said the recent interview by the INEC chair was “not only disgraceful and unbecoming of the high office he occupies but it also exposed a troubling willingness to descend into partisan controversy and to assume roles far outside the constitutional mandate of the commission”.
It added, “Your conduct, taken together with INEC’s earlier correspondence to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reinforces the perception that the commission under your leadership has abandoned neutrality and has instead aligned itself with factional interests. This is not only improper; it is dangerous for the credibility of our electoral system.”
The group stressed that it will resist any such attempt “lawfully, firmly, and resolutely. Nigeria’s democracy was built on the foundation of political plurality, and no individual or institution will be allowed to erode that foundation through partisan conduct and administrative overreach.”
The party also recalled that the report of the NEC meeting was submitted to INEC as directed by the NEC. “It was on the basis of this open, transparent process that INEC accepted the new leadership and uploaded the principal officers in its electronic portal.
“We must also bring to your notice that we are aware of efforts being made by INEC under your directive as well as the pressure being mounted on conscientious INEC officials to recant their testimonies which contradict the agenda that you have decided to pursue. This is indeed unconscionable,”they said.
