Top opposition figures, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi, on Wednesday stormed Abuja under the #OccupyINEC banner, protesting what they described as actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission aimed at undermining democracy and destabilising the opposition.
The protest, spearheaded by leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress, drew a coalition of political heavyweights, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, and Dino Melaye, alongside hundreds of supporters who converged on Maitama Roundabout in a show of defiance.
In a symbolic move, demonstrators sang Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, declaring it an act of resistance amid growing political tensions.
Addressing the crowd, Obi, speaking on behalf of opposition leaders, issued a stark warning against what he called creeping authoritarianism. “Our democracy must not be killed,” he declared, urging Nigerians to resist any drift toward a one-party state and to defend the nation’s democratic foundations.
Placards at the rally also signalled internal party tensions, with visible support for David Mark, as protesters chanted confidence in his leadership of the party’s National Working Committee.
The protest was triggered by INEC’s recent decision to suspend recognition of correspondence from rival factions within the ADC, following a Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership crisis. Opposition leaders have condemned the move as an overreach, accusing the electoral body of interfering in internal party affairs.
Earlier, Obidient Movement coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, said the protest was designed to galvanise public resistance against what he described as INEC’s growing bias.
“This commission is acting as judge, accuser, and defender at the same time,” he said, warning that its actions were fuelling disaffection within the opposition.
Wednesday’s demonstration marks a significant escalation in tensions between opposition parties and the electoral body, with leaders vowing sustained resistance to any actions they believe threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
