Leaders and supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday flooded the streets of Abuja, rallying against recent decisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with demonstrators openly backing the party’s disputed leadership under David Mark.
At the centre of the protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, were placards bearing bold messages such as “In David Mark’s NWC we trust,” reflecting the stance of many participants who rejected INEC’s position on the ADC’s internal crisis.
The demonstration follows INEC’s decision to cease accepting correspondence from both ADC leadership factions, the one led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe, in response to a Court of Appeal verdict. Opposition politicians claim this step meddles in the ADC’s internal affairs.
The protest, which converged at Maitama Roundabout, drew several prominent opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola and Aminu Tambuwal, alongside a large turnout of party loyalists and Kwankwasiyya supporters.
In a show of defiance, demonstrators sang Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, a move the party later described as symbolic resistance.
Speaking during the protest, Obi called on Nigerians to safeguard democratic values, warning against what he described as threats to political pluralism.
“We, members and leaders of the ADC and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed,” he 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.”
Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, had earlier alluded to the size of the protest and accused the electoral board of going beyond its authority.
“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,” he said.
“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 for the sake of our party and democracy.”
