Leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) joined a large demonstration in Abuja on Wednesday, protesting decisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they said undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership.
The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, the protesters, who included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, were led by a factional National Chairman of the party, David Mark.
Others present at the protest included the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; former Sokoto State Governor and serving senator, Aminu Tambuwal; former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and former senator, Dino Melaye.
Prominent leaders of civil society organisations like Aisha Yesufu, activist Precious Oruche, also known as Mama P, Peter Akah alias Randy Peterz were also present and participated in the protest.
They protested INEC’s suspension of the party’s recognition over a leadership dispute between the Mark-led leadership of the party and Nafiu Bala, a former national vice chairman of the party, who claimed he never resigned.
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.”