Leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) joined a large protest in Abuja on Wednesday, protesting decisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they said undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership.
The demonstration, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew former presidential candidates and prominent politicians, including Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, and Dino Melaye, to Maitama Roundabout. Among others, hundreds of Kwankwasiyya members also participated.
Participants in the event sang Nigeria’s former national hymn, “Arise, O Compatriots!” despite the fact that President Bola Tinubu replaced it on May 29, 2024, with the country’s 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
The ADC further verified that the act was performed “in an act of defiance.”
Several demonstrators carried signs supporting Senator David Mark, including one that read, “In David Mark’s NWC, we trust.”
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi addressed the rally on behalf of ADC members and other opposition leaders, encouraging Nigerians to defend their country’s democracy.
He said, 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 the unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land.”
The protest follows INEC’s recent decision to no longer accept letters from either group of the ADC led by Senator David Mark or Nafiu Bala, following a Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership issue.
ADC and other opposition groups criticized the measure as an infringement on party autonomy and an intrusion into internal party issues.
Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, previously told the press that the event sought to mobilize Nigerians in defense of democracy.
“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.
