Supporters of a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, demanding the recognition of Nafiu Bala as the party’s National Chairman.

The protesters, led by Bala, said their demand was anchored on a March 12, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which they insisted must be enforced in line with the rule of law.

The demonstration comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the party, with rival factions contesting control of its national structure.

Chanting solidarity songs, the demonstrators marched to the commission’s headquarters carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Obey the Court,” “INEC must recognise Nafiu Bala as Chairman,” and “No to impunity.” However, security operatives denied them access into the premises.

Speaking to journalists, the Special Adviser on Strategy to the ADC chairman, Abimiku Monday, accused INEC of failing to comply with a valid court ruling. He said the commission had been formally notified of the appellate court judgment through the party’s lawyers on March 15, followed by another correspondence on March 27 warning of possible contempt proceedings.

Monday warned that disobedience to court orders by a public institution undermines judicial authority, weakens the rule of law, and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions.

Also addressing the press, co-convener of the protest, Abdullahi Ahmed, said the demonstration was aimed at defending democratic values and preserving the integrity of the electoral system.

Similarly, the leader of the League of Civil Society Groups, Basah Mohammed, stated that the protest was driven by the need to protect institutional credibility rather than partisan interests. He urged INEC to remain neutral and resist external pressures, while also calling on the National Assembly to carry out its oversight functions effectively.

Another activist, Danielson Momoh, cautioned that the unresolved dispute could have electoral consequences, referencing past political crises that resulted in legal complications.

Providing further clarification, co-convener Igwe Ude-Umanta said the appellate court’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum was clear and had been consistently interpreted by the Supreme Court. He argued that the directive implied that the existing leadership arrangement prior to the dispute should be recognised.

In response, INEC’s Assistant Director of Security, Mohammed Hamma, appealed for calm, explaining that the commission’s leadership was currently out of Abuja on official assignment.

He said the INEC chairman, national commissioners, and directors were attending a workshop in Lagos, but assured the protesters that their petition would be received and forwarded accordingly.