Leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) staged a large protest in Abuja on Wednesday, opposing decisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission which they said threaten democracy and the party’s internal structure.
The demonstration, tagged #OccupyINEC, attracted several high-profile political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, and Dino Melaye, who gathered at Maitama Roundabout alongside hundreds of supporters, including members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Protesters were seen singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, despite its replacement on May 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu with the country’s 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” The ADC described the action as “in an act of defiance.”
Many demonstrators carried placards expressing support for Senator David Mark, including messages such as “In David Mark’s NWC we trust.”
Addressing the crowd, Peter Obi called on Nigerians to stand up for democratic values.
He said on X: “We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed.
“We say NO to a one-party system, and for that, today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land.”
The protest follows INEC’s decision to stop accepting correspondence from factions of the ADC led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala, after a Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership dispute. Opposition figures and party members argued that the move undermines party autonomy and interferes in internal affairs.
Earlier, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the protest was aimed at mobilising citizens to defend democratic principles.
“This commission is now becoming the arbiter, judge, accuser and defender at the same time. Our major issue is the manner in which INEC has been going about creating disaffection in the opposition.
“The people are really angry and plan to show this anger by coming out. So, we’ll expect them to come out en masse for a peaceful rally. Then we’ll just demonstrate and protest,” he said.
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