Top opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Wednesday led a mass protest in Abuja against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The protest, which drew party leaders, supporters, and pro-democracy advocates, converged around Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory, where INEC’s national headquarters is located.
The demonstration follows INEC’s decision to remove the names of the ADC National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal, citing a subsisting court case over the party’s leadership.
The electoral body also announced that it would suspend recognition of any faction of the party pending the final determination of the matter before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Announcing the move earlier, INEC said “the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark… would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum.”
The commission added that “parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step… capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court.”
Reacting, Obi described the situation as a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic system and called on citizens to resist what he termed a drift toward 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 in a post on his X account ahead of the protest.
“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,” he added.
The protest comes amid growing controversy over the internal crisis within the ADC, which has pitched factions loyal to different leaders against one another, leading to conflicting legal communications to INEC.
According to the commission, it had received opposing directives from rival factions—one cautioning against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman, and another insisting on full enforcement of the appellate court ruling.
The development has triggered sharp reactions from opposition figures and supporters, some of whom accuse the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of allegedly enabling divisions within opposition parties.
As tensions escalate, protesters insist the demonstration is aimed at safeguarding democratic values and ensuring a level playing field ahead of future elections.
