Prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday led the “Save Nigeria Democracy” protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Several chieftains of the party, including Peter Obi; ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar; a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; ex-governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; a former Senate President, David Mark; ex-Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and a former Sokoto governor, Aminu Tambuwal, among others, are present as the protesters march through the streets of Abuja.
Hundreds of their supporters and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement also attended the protest.
The protest began at the Maitama Roundabout in the city and terminated at INEC’s headquarters.
They are accusing the electoral umpire of working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the country’s democracy.
Some of the protesters were spotted carrying placards bearing different inscriptions, such as “Hands off our courts” and “Judges must give justice”, among others.
Amaechi was spotted in a van addressing the protesters as they marched through the streets of the nation’s capital.
In a post on his X handle, Atiku shared snippets of himself on the street with other protesters.
“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.”
Obi had earlier enjoined supporters, “well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy”, to join in the protest.
“We say NO to a one-party system, and for that, today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in the unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land,” the former governor of Anambra State posted on X.
Photographer Esther Umoh also posted a video of Obi, Kwankwaso, and other ADC chieftains holding a banner reading, “Tinubu, let our democracy breathe.”
Tambuwal said the protest was “driven by our collective commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that our electoral process remains credible, fair, and transparent,” he posted on his X handle.
“We must resist any attempt to undermine democratic institutions or pave the way for authoritarian tendencies. Our stance is not just political; it is a duty to protect the integrity of our nation and preserve the will of the people.”
(Channels Tv)
