By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Fresh political tension is brewing ahead of future electoral activities as several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding compliance with a recent court ruling concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The protesters called on INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, to recognize the faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala, in line with what they described as a valid and subsisting court judgment.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the demonstrators insisted that the commission must uphold the rule of law by enforcing the ruling allegedly affirmed by legal practitioner Amupitan.
They warned that failure to comply could undermine democratic principles and erode public confidence in the electoral body.
The development is seen as a potential political setback for key opposition figures including Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Atiku Abubakar, who are believed to have strategic interests in coalition alignments involving smaller political parties like the ADC.
According to the CSOs, recognizing the Bala-led faction would bring clarity to the partyâs leadership crisis and ensure proper participation in future political processes.
They also urged INEC to remain neutral and avoid actions that could be interpreted as favoritism.
Some of the protest leaders, who addressed journalists at the scene, emphasized that the judiciary remains the final arbiter in disputes of this nature, stressing that selective compliance with court rulings could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeriaâs democracy.
They further called on relevant stakeholders, including political parties and legal practitioners, to respect the sanctity of the court.
The groups also warned that continued delay or refusal by INEC to act on the judgment could trigger a wave of legal battles and political unrest within the ADC, potentially spilling over into the broader opposition landscape.
Meanwhile, sources within the ADC hinted that the leadership tussle has deepened divisions among party members, with parallel structures emerging in different states.
This, analysts say, could weaken the partyâs bargaining power in any proposed coalition ahead of future elections.
Efforts to reach representatives of the opposing faction within the ADC were unsuccessful as of press time, but insiders suggest that they are preparing to challenge the legitimacy of the Bala-led group through legal and political channels.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC has not issued an official response to the protest or the demands raised by the civil society groups.
Political observers say the situation could further complicate ongoing coalition talks among opposition leaders, as internal disputes within smaller parties continue to pose challenges to unified political strategies.
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