Atiku, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, Other ADC Leaders Lead Occupy INEC Protest [Video]

The Occupy INEC Protest is ongoing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Philips News reports that the prominent African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, and Aminu Tambuwal, were on Wednesday seen holding the banner of the party while leading the ongoing “SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY” protest in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

This newspaper understands that the ADC Leaders and other Nigerians are protesting decisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they said undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership.

The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew former presidential candidates and prominent politicians to Maitama Roundabout in Abuja. Among others, hundreds of Kwankwasiyya members and the Obidient Movement also participated.

The demonstration saw participants singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, although it was replaced on May 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu with the country’s 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

The ADC further confirmed that the act was done “in an act of defiance.”

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

Addressing the protest, former presidential candidate 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 that 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.”

Addressing the crowd, ADC chieftain Rotimi Amaechi urged Nigerians to seize their destiny and resist political manipulation, calling on citizens to stand up for the integrity of the nation’s democracy.

A post on Tambuwal’s X handle quoted Amaechi as saying, “Alongside other leaders of the ADC, I am participating in a peaceful protest against the perceived partisanship of the electoral umpire.

“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.

“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.”

Watch the Occupy INEC Protest below…

Abuja: African Democratic Congress (ADC) Party Leaders Gather At INEC Office In Protest, Led By Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal. #OccupyINEC pic.twitter.com/6NfQ8r1emh

— Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto) April 8, 2026

Meanwhile, PhilipsNews reports that the Occupy INEC Protest follows INEC’s recent decision to no longer accept correspondence from either faction of the ADC led by Senator David Mark or Nafiu Bala, after a Court of Appeal judgment 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.