Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission should have recognised Nafiu Bala Gombe as the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress. He made the statement during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, commenting on INEC's decision to withdraw recognition of all ADC leadership factions. The electoral body removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. INEC also declined to recognise Bala Gombe, despite his ongoing legal bid to be declared national chairman. The commission stated it would suspend recognition of all party factions and ignore any internal party conventions until a Federal High Court resolves the dispute. Wike argued that INEC, based on a court judgment, should have validated Bala Gombe's position. He added that the party should accept INEC's stance as a push toward legal resolution. ADC has since accused INEC of violating the law and favouring one faction over another in the leadership crisis.
Wike's public push for Nafiu Bala Gombe's recognition as ADC chairman exposes the thin line between ministerial opinion and electoral authority. INEC's decision to freeze all claims shows it is treating the party's internal chaos as legally unresolved, not politically negotiable. When a cabinet minister openly contradicts that neutrality, it raises doubts about whether party disputes are settled in court or in corridors of power. For Nigerian voters, this signals that political recognition may depend less on due process and more on who has the loudest voice in government.
