From Victor Osula, Abuja
Thousands of supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Wednesday, flooded major streets in Abuja, chanting “Save Our Democracy” as prominent opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, joined the mass protest in a powerful show of unity amid the party’s deepening leadership crisis.
The demonstration, which attracted a large turnout of party faithful, civil society actors and concerned citizens, was staged to demand transparency, adherence to democratic norms and respect for internal party processes.
Protesters marched through key areas of the Federal Capital Territory carrying banners and placards bearing inscriptions such as “Defend Democracy”, “Respect Party Constitution”, and “INEC Must Be Neutral”, while calling for urgent intervention to resolve the crisis rocking the party.
The protest comes on the heels of escalating tensions within the ADC following disputes over leadership recognition, which have fractured the party into multiple factions. The crisis worsened after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition from the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), a development that has triggered widespread controversy and competing claims of legitimacy.
Party sources indicate that the situation has evolved into a three-way leadership contest, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national structure.
Addressing the crowd, Atiku Abubakar called for calm but insisted on the need for institutions to uphold the rule of law and remain impartial in political matters. He warned that actions capable of undermining internal party democracy could erode public confidence in the nation’s electoral system.
In his remarks, Peter Obi stressed that democracy must be anchored on fairness, transparency and respect for due process. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively defend democratic values, noting that credible institutions are essential for national stability and development.
Also speaking, Rabiu Kwankwaso described the protest as a legitimate civic action to safeguard constitutional democracy. He emphasised the importance of a strong and independent opposition, warning against any form of interference that could weaken the democratic process.
Organisers of the protest maintained that the demonstration was peaceful and within the bounds of the law, adding that it was designed to draw attention to what they described as troubling developments within the political landscape. Security agencies were deployed across strategic locations in Abuja to ensure order, with no reports of major disruptions recorded.
Political analysts say the presence of leading opposition figures at the protest signals a potential realignment within Nigeria’s opposition space, as parties and stakeholders begin to reposition ahead of the next electoral cycle. The ADC crisis, they note, could have far-reaching implications for coalition-building and the broader balance of political power.
Despite the tensions, party leaders expressed optimism that dialogue, legal processes and institutional engagement would ultimately resolve the dispute. They called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant authorities to act fairly and uphold democratic principles, stressing that the credibility of Nigeria’s political system must be preserved.
