Accord members protest at INEC, demand recognition of Imumolen

Some members of Nigeria’s Accord party have staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, calling for the recognition of Prof. Christopher Imumolen as the party’s national chairman.

The demonstrators gathered outside the commission’s offices on Tuesday, carrying placards and submitting a formal petition. They urged INEC to comply with what they described as existing court rulings affirming Mr Imumolen’s leadership, and to update its official records accordingly.

Speaking at the protest, Mr Imumolen, a former presidential candidate of the party, criticised what he called the commission’s reluctance to enforce judicial decisions. He said INEC, as a regulatory body, must remain impartial and uphold the rule of law.

“We have not come here to cause any problem, but to speak because it seems INEC has not been listening,” he said.

He argued that court orders are binding and should not be selectively applied, questioning why INEC had, in his view, complied with similar rulings involving other parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but not Accord.

Mr Imumolen also accused the commission of continuing to recognise a rival faction led by Maxwell Mgbudem, despite what he described as multiple court orders and submissions made to INEC.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said, adding that some state party officials aligned with his faction had allegedly been removed.

In their petition, the protesters called for Mr Imumolen to be formally listed as national chairman on INEC’s website and for all state chairmen elected under his leadership to be recognised.

They also urged the commission to comply fully with all subsisting court orders issued by competent courts.

Responding to the protesters, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, acknowledged receipt of the petition and said it would be reviewed.

“I have listened to what you have said. I have received your communication. I will forward this to the commission, which will look into the matter and act appropriately,” he said.

The dispute highlights ongoing internal divisions within the Accord party over its leadership.