Supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday staged a protest at the Jigawa state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Dutse.
They demanded official recognition of the party’s national leadership led by David Mark, former senate president.
The demonstration comes amid rising political tension in the state as defections and internal party disputes gather pace ahead of party primaries and the next general elections.
Witnesses said party members marched peacefully to the INEC office in the state capital, carrying their grievances over what they described as the commission’s handling of the party’s leadership dispute.
Speaking after the protest, Manniru Aminu, Jigawa ADC youth leader accused INEC of exceeding its powers and interfering in matters reserved for the courts.
“INEC does not have the constitutional power to interpret court rulings. That responsibility lies with the judiciary,” Aminu said.
He disclosed that the protesters submitted a petition accusing the electoral body of breaching democratic principles and showing institutional bias in the management of party affairs.
According to him, the leadership headed by David Mark remains the only constitutionally recognised authority of the ADC.
The group called for the immediate restoration of the recognised party leadership on INEC’s official portal and demanded a public apology to Nigerians.
Aminu also urged that those responsible for the commission’s actions be held accountable, insisting that the INEC chairman should resign or be removed over what he termed unconstitutional conduct.
Reacting to the protest, Ibrahim Idris, the administrative secretary of INEC in Jigawa state who received the demonstrators, assured them that their petition would be forwarded to the commission’s national headquarters for consideration.
He declined further comments on the matter.
