Leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, joined a large demonstration in Abuja yesterday, protesting decisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which they said undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership.
The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew former presidential candidates and prominent politicians, including ADC leader and former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to Maitama Roundabout.
Others are former governor of Osun State and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party, LP, 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi; former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso; and Dino Melaye, former senator representing Kogi West.
Hundreds of Kwankwasiyya members also participated.
The demonstration saw participants singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, despite the fact that it was replaced on May 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu with the country’s 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
Several demonstrators also held placards supporting Senator David Mark, including ones that read, “In David Mark’s NWC we trust.”
Addressing the protest, 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, spoke on behalf of ADC members and other opposition leaders, urging Nigerians to defend the country’s democracy.
He said on X: “We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying 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 followed INEC’s recent decision not to accept correspondence from either factions of the ADC, led by Senator David Mark or Nafiu Bala Gombe, after a Court of Appeal order on the party’s leadership dispute.