ADC protest Abuja: Leaders and supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday stormed Abuja in a mass protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision on the party’s leadership crisis.
The demonstration, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew top opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, and Dino Melaye.
Hundreds of party members and supporters, including a large number of Kwankwasiyya loyalists, gathered at Maitama Roundabout, carrying placards and chanting pro-democracy slogans.
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Several protesters displayed placards in support of Senator David Mark, with some reading, “In David Mark’s NWC we trust.”
The protest followed INEC’s decision to stop accepting correspondence from both the David Mark-led faction and the rival group headed by Nafiu Bala after the Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership dispute.
Speaking during the rally, Peter Obi said the protest was aimed at defending Nigeria’s democracy and resisting any drift towards a one-party state.
“We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed,” Obi said.
“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 rally also took on symbolic significance as protesters sang Nigeria’s former national anthem, a move party officials later described as an act of defiance.
Earlier, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the protest was intended to mobilise Nigerians against what he described as interference in opposition politics.
“This commission is now becoming the arbiter, judge, accuser, and defender at the same time,” he said.
“Our major issue is the manner in which INEC has been going about creating disaffection in the opposition.”
The demonstration is expected to intensify political tensions around the ADC’s internal leadership battle and broader opposition coalition efforts ahead of the 2027 general election.
