Several prominent Nigerian politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Vice Presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former governors Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, and Aminu Tambuwal, led a protest in Abuja on Wednesday under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The demonstration, tagged “SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY,” was staged in response to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to delist the party’s leadership, which is headed by former Senate President David Mark.
Protesters marched through the capital carrying placards and chanting slogans, while also singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”—a symbolic gesture, as it was officially replaced on May 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu with the 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
Addressing the crowd, ADC chieftain Rotimi Amaechi called on Nigerians to take charge of their political future and resist what he described as partisan interference in the electoral process. “This patriotic action is driven by our collective commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that our electoral process remains credible, fair, and transparent,” Amaechi said, according to a post on Tambuwal’s official X account.
He added, “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.”
The protest underscores growing tensions between political actors and electoral authorities in Nigeria, with opposition figures warning against moves they say could erode democratic norms. The ADC leaders have vowed to continue pressing for the reversal of INEC’s decision and for broader reforms to protect Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
