ADC Presents Six Key Demands at INEC Protest

Leaders and members of African Democratic Congress, ADC, joined a large demonstration in Abuja yesterday, protesting decisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which they said undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership.

The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew former presidential candidates and prominent politicians, including ADC leader and former Senate President, Senator David Mark; and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to Maitama Roundabout.

Others are former governor of Osun State and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party, LP, 2023 presidential candidate; Mr Peter Obi; former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement; Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Dino Melaye, former senator representing Kogi West.

Hundreds of Kwankwasiyya members also participated.

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.”

Several demonstrators also held placards supporting Senator David Mark, including ones that read, “In David Mark’s NWC we trust.”

Addressing the protest, 2023 Labour Party, LP, Presidential candidate,Mr Peter Obi spoke on behalf of ADC members and other opposition leaders, urging Nigerians to defend the country’s democracy.

He said on X: “We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying our democracy must not be killed.

“We say no to a one-party system, and for that, today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land.”

The protest followed INEC’s recent decision not to accept correspondence from either factions of the ADC, led by Senator David Mark or Nafiu Bala Gombe, after a Court of Appeal order on the party’s leadership dispute.

ADC and other opposition groups described the move as a restriction on party autonomy and an interference with internal party affairs.

Addressing the crowd, Rotimi Amaechi said: “Imagine a president who came to power and the first thing he did was to change the national anthem… and gave us hunger. He said he would give us roads; up till now, they have not given us roads. The money is gone. By the grace of God, they will lose the election.”

Organisers said the protest is part of a wider effort by opposition figures and civic groups to defend democratic institutions and ensure credible elections.

They maintained that the demonstration remained peaceful, even as security operatives, who were clearly outnumbered, kept watch around INEC complex.

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, had earlier said the demonstration was to mobilise Nigerians in defence of democracy.

“This commission is now becoming the arbiter, judge, accuser and defender at the same time. Our major issue is the manner in which INEC has been going about creating disaffection in the opposition.

“The people are really angry and plan to show this anger by coming out. So, we’ll expect them to come out en masse for a peaceful rally. Then we’ll just demonstrate and protest,” he said.

Flood of protesters at INEC

The large crowd of protesters flooded the headquarters of the INEC in Abuja, defying steady rain to demand electoral accountability as tensions build ahead of the 2027 elections.

What began as a protest linked to a faction of the ADC quickly grew into something bigger. People from different political parties and groups joined in, turning it into a broad coalition rally focused on defending democracy and questioning credibility of the electoral system.

Muyideen Bashiru, a protester, said the turnout showed the concerns cut across party lines, with participants travelling in from different parts of the country.

The protesters had earlier gathered at David Mark’s residence, where a morning service was held to mark his 78th birthday, before moving out in a coordinated march.

“As you can see, it’s massive, this is not just about the ADC, there are members of other political parties here as well,” he said.

From Apo Legislative Quarters, the crowd surged towards INEC office, swelling along the way and taking over major roads in the Federal Capital Territory.

“You’ll recall that this protest was initially planned for last week but was cancelled,” Bashiru said.

The earlier plan was shelved after heavy security deployment, including roadblocks and patrol vehicles. Yesterday’s protest appeared largely unannounced, suggesting a shift in approach that may have caught authorities off guard.

“But today feels different, it seems spontaneous, almost as if security agencies were caught off guard,” he said.

Despite the rain, the crowd kept growing at INEC office, with an atmosphere that was intense but orderly.”You can see the crowd behind me; it’s still growing, and the energy is intense,” Bashiru added.

No cause for alarm over ADC crisis, David Mark assures Nigerians

However, David Mark moved to calm rising tensions within the ADC, assuring party members and Nigerians that the crisis was no threat to the party’s unity.

Speaking at a church service held in his honour to mark his 78th birthday, he said: ”On the issue of ongoing developments within our great party, the African Democratic Congress, I wish to assure our members and Nigerians at large that there is no cause for alarm.”

He described the tensions as part of a natural process, signalling that the party is evolving, rather than fracturing.

“Challenges are a natural part of any growing institution. What is important is our collective resolve to overcome them,” Mark added.

Even so, he stressed that the party’s core remains solid, with its leadership and members aligned on the bigger goal.

Beyond the immediate crisis, Mark widened the lens, linking the party’s stability to the broader health of Nigeria’s democracy.

“Let me reiterate that we are fully committed to the survival of democracy and the development of our dear nation, Nigeria,” he said.

He added that the party would stay the course, working to ensure that democratic institutions delivered real benefits to citizens. Reflecting on his 78th birthday, Mark struck a personal note, expressing gratitude, while signalling that his role in national affairs is far from over.

“At 78, my resolve remains unshaken. I am inspired more than ever to contribute my quota to national unity, peace, and progress,” he said.

ADC lists demands at INEC protest, seeks chairman’s exit

During the protest, ADC leaders called for the immediate resignation or removal of the chairman of INEC, Professor Joseph Amupitan, SAN, accusing him of partisanship, constitutional breaches, and actions threatening to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

The position was conveyed by Senator David Mark, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who accused the INEC chairman of stepping beyond his constitutional role and aligning with factional interests within the party.

“Your recent media interview was not only disgraceful and unbecoming of the high office you occupy, but it also exposed a troubling willingness to descend into partisan controversy,” the party told the INEC chairman.

“The dispute centres on what the ADC describes as an attempt by INEC chairman to publicly interpret court rulings, a move the party insisted crossed a constitutional line and blurred the boundary between institutions.

“The interpretation of court judgments is the exclusive preserve of the judiciary. For the Chairman of INEC to publicly assume that role amounts to a serious constitutional breach,” the party stated.

The ADC said recent actions by the commission, including its communication with the party, had deepened concerns that INEC might no longer be acting as a neutral umpire.

“This is not only improper; it is dangerous for the credibility of our electoral system,” the party warned.

It also argued that such actions risked weakening the country’s democratic structure, particularly where they appeared to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties or elevate factional interests.

To support its claims, ADC pointed to a series of internal decisions taken in 2025, including multiple National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings that led to the emergence of its current leadership under Senator Mark.

According to the party, those processes were conducted transparently, attended by INEC officials, and carried out without any objections at the time.