The United States chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned a planned political demonstration that some Nigerians intend to hold in front of the White House on Monday. This condemnation follows the U.S. authorities’ decision to grant a permit to supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to use Lafayette Park on April 3 to protest the outcome of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. The permit, seen by The …, allows only one hundred protesters to gather in the iconic Washington, D.C., park for four hours and includes a clear warning that participants must “comply with all of the conditions of this permit and with all reasonable directions of the United States Park Police.”
The demonstration is being organized by a diaspora group under the aegis of the Nigerian American Coalition for Justice and Democracy Inc., led by Franklin Ekechukwu. In a memo, Ekechukwu explained that the protest is their way of objecting to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to “follow their guidelines and rule of law in accordance with democratic principles.” The memo added, “We in the diaspora are demonstrating to call the attention of the US government and Biden administration to not recognise the projected winner.”
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the contentious February 25 presidential election, receiving 8,794,726 votes. He defeated Peoples Democratic Party candidate Atiku Abubakar, who garnered 6,984,520 votes, and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, who obtained 6,101,533 votes. Both Atiku and Obi rejected the INEC results, claiming the election was marred by violence and massive rigging. Each has petitioned the presidential election tribunal to contest the outcome.
In a statement issued Thursday, Prof. Tai Balofin, chairman of the United States APC chapter, said many Nigerians in the diaspora remain unperturbed by the proposed protest because they believe the presidential poll was free and fair. He stated, “We wish to inform the public that a group of the Nigerian 2023 presidential election losers are currently protesting at the park in front of the White House. It is important to note that the US government is not involved or supportive of the protest, as anyone can obtain approval for a peaceful protest.” Balofin affirmed, “It is our belief that the Nigerian presidential election was free and fair, and Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu won the election. The majority of Nigerian voters gave him their mandate, and no propaganda, manipulation, or web of lies can stop his inauguration.”
Balofin urged Nigerians living in the United States to remain calm and peaceful, assuring them that the APC‑USA will not be disturbed by the protesters’ actions. He added, “We want to assure Nigerians that Nigeria will not secede; it will remain united. We must work together to salvage it.” He also told journalists that the opposition, having lost, will meet the winner at the protest site on April 3.
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