Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of bias and calling for a return to neutrality following the #OccupyINEC protest in Abuja.
The opposition leaders made their positions known after joining members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other coalition partners in a protest held on Wednesday to challenge recent INEC decisions affecting the party’s leadership.
In a statement, Kwankwaso described the protest as a unified stand by opposition groups against what he termed the commission’s lack of impartiality.
“Today, I joined fellow coalition leaders and committed democrats to condemn the clear partisanship and compromised neutrality of INEC,” he said.
He added that the peaceful demonstration in Abuja brought together various opposition figures to send a strong message that Nigerians would not tolerate actions capable of undermining the democratic process.
Kwankwaso further stressed that the opposition would continue to monitor the commission’s activities and insist on transparency and professionalism.
Atiku, in a separate statement, said he joined other ADC leaders at the protest led by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, describing the demonstration as a response to what he called the “partisanship” of INEC and the “excesses” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This protest sends a clear signal that any attempt to weaken our democracy will be resisted,” Atiku stated, expressing hope that the international community would take note of developments in Nigeria’s political space.
The protest comes amid escalating tensions between factions of the ADC and INEC, after the commission announced it would no longer recognise communications from rival leadership groups within the party, citing a subsisting court order.
Earlier, party members and opposition figures had gathered at Maitama Roundabout in Abuja under the #OccupyINEC banner, demanding reforms and warning against actions they believe could threaten Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
