By Edwin Philip, Lafia
Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have taken their protest to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) State headquarters in Lafia, demanding the reinstatement of its national executives, said to have been removed from the electoral umpire’s portal.
Speaking during the protest today, the women leader of the ADC , Hajiya Hafsat Ibrahim, said the party has no faction, as its national chairman is Sen. David Mark and Mr Rauf Aregbesola as the secretary, stating that the removal of their names was done in bad faith and demanding the removal of the National Chairman of INEC.
“We are calling on the national chairman of INEC to resign because that is not what we are expecting from him. INEC should be impartial. Why should he interpret the court judgment to suit himself?”
“He even said that if we go to our national convention, he is not going to recognize our leaders because we are here to seek justice,” he demanded.
She added that Nigeria belongs to all citizens and not the exclusive preserve of the few in power, emphasizing that they can watch as the country becomes a one-party state.
She said, “We must have a say in our country, this is our land, we don’t have anywhere to go to, this is democracy, we can’t agree on a one-party system in Nigeria.
She, however, called on the international community to pay attention to the trajectory of democracy in Nigeria before it collapses into an autocracy.
“We have to defend ourselves, ADC belongs to all, including youth and women, and we are youth and women of Nigeria, that is why we come to the INEC office in Nasarawa State as youth and women of Nasarawa State to share our concern that what is happening in INEC is not supposed to be so,” she said.
According to her, if their demands are not met, they will return to the INEC office to occupy the place to drive home their demands peacefully in accordance with the law.
Reacting to their demands, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Shehu Wahap, who called selected protest leaders to the INEC premises, commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully and promised to relay their concerns to the authorities.
He said the protesters’ actions are part of democracy and constitutional.
“In democracy, you don’t just have your say, but you must be part and parcel of the process. Thank you for all your demands on the National Chairman. Your peaceful protest is noted, your request is noted.”
“I am sure, just as you have done here, you have done the protest in the headquarters. I believe strongly that the due process of the law will eventually take its course, the law will take its course, and we will know where we will go from here.
He further commended them for keeping democracy alive and continued to demand that they keep it alive. He assured them that they should expect a good election not only in Nasarawa State but across the whole of Nigeria.
