Prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) converged on Abuja this week to protest the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to withdraw recognition of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The News Round The Clock (NRTC) reported that INEC removed the names of National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and other NWC members from its official website, where they had previously been listed as ADC leaders.
On Wednesday, a coalition of former political leaders, including ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, led the “Save Nigeria Democracy” march.
The protest began at Maitama Roundabout and proceeded to the INEC headquarters, with demonstrators calling on the electoral body to remain impartial.
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Atiku and the ADC accused INEC of acting in the interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move they claim threatens Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
Protesters carried placards with messages such as “Hands Off Our Courts” as Amaechi addressed the crowd from a van while they marched through the streets of the capital.
In a statement shared on social media, Atiku described the protest as peaceful and patriotic, emphasising that the ADC’s stance was aimed at defending democracy and preventing the rise of a dictatorship.
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, also issued a statement on his X page, urging Nigerians to oppose a one-party system.
He called on citizens who value unity, peace, and national security to join in defending democracy, asserting that “our democracy must not be killed.”
