Armed security operatives were heavily deployed on Thursday at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja amid rising tensions over a planned protest by members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Eyewitnesses reported a strong presence of personnel from the Nigerian Army, with armoured vehicles stationed at strategic points around the commission’s premises. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force were also deployed in large numbers, mounting checkpoints and restricting movement within and around the complex. Despite the show of force, the atmosphere remained tense but calm as of Thursday morning.

The heightened security is believed to be linked to threats by aggrieved ADC members to protest recent actions taken by INEC concerning the party’s leadership crisis.

At the centre of the dispute is INEC’s removal of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party. The commission said the move was in compliance with “preservatory orders” issued by the Court of Appeal, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of a case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The ADC crisis has fractured the party into rival factions, with one camp loyal to Mark and another backing Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman. Both groups have continued to submit conflicting communications to INEC, further deepening the impasse.

In response to the situation, INEC announced it would suspend recognition of any faction within the party and refrain from engaging with any group until the court delivers a final judgment.

The commission stated that it would neither receive further correspondence nor monitor any congresses or conventions organised by any faction claiming to represent the ADC.

The development has triggered outrage among some party members, who accuse INEC of bias and undue interference in internal party affairs.

Meanwhile, the heavy security presence is widely seen as a precautionary measure aimed at preventing any breakdown of law and order as tensions persist.