Prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday led a “Save Nigeria Democracy” protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Top political figures who joined the demonstration included former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Hundreds of supporters and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement also joined the march through the streets of the nation’s capital.
The protest began at the Maitama Roundabout and ended at INEC’s headquarters, with demonstrators accusing the electoral commission of working in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
Many protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Hands off our courts” and “Judges must give justice.”
Amaechi was seen addressing the crowd from a van as the procession moved through Abuja.
In a post on his account on X (Twitter), Atiku shared photos and videos of the protest, saying the demonstration was aimed at defending democratic institutions.
“Myself and other leaders of the ADC are peacefully protesting against the partisanship of the electoral umpire,” the former presidential candidate wrote.
“Our patriotic stance is aimed at safeguarding our democracy and preventing the enthronement of a dictatorship.”
Earlier, Obi had called on Nigerians to participate in the demonstration, urging “well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy” to defend the country’s democratic system.
“We say NO to a one-party system,” Obi wrote on X, adding that the protest was about protecting Nigeria’s unity, peace and security.
A video shared online by photographer Esther Umoh showed Obi, Kwankwaso and other ADC leaders holding a banner that read, “Tinubu, let our democracy breathe,” referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tambuwal also explained the motivation behind the protest in a post on X, saying it was driven by the need to protect Nigeria’s democratic process.
“We must resist any attempt to undermine democratic institutions or pave the way for authoritarian tendencies,” he wrote.
The protest comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC. Recently, INEC announced that it would not recognise the leadership factions led by Nafiu Bala and David Mark, citing a judgment of the Court of Appeal (Nigeria) delivered on March 12.
Bala had earlier admitted attending the unveiling of the Mark-led leadership but denied agreeing to the appointment of the executives.
He also accused a former ADC national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, of imposing the Mark-led executives on the party without proper consultation.
The crisis escalated on Tuesday when state chairmen of the ADC rejected both the Bala and Mark factions, accusing them of attempting to hijack the party and backing INEC’s decision to de-recognise the leadership groups.
In response, the Mark-led executives accused INEC of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and acting in favour of the ruling party.
