Obi Criticises Former NADECO Figures, Compares Them to Abacha

Former Anambra governor and opposition leader Peter Obi has sparked intense debate by asserting that Nigeria’s late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, demonstrated more democratic and respectful conduct than some individuals who once identified as pro-democracy activists during the NADECO era. The comments were made in a post shared on Obi’s X (formerly Twitter) account and come amid ongoing leadership disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Obi, who ran as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023 and now plays a key role in the ADC, criticised what he described as the irony of history: “Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame.” He added that some former NADECO activists, once celebrated for their fight for human rights, have now become worse than the man they opposed.

He wrote: “Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character.”

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The remarks coincide with a major INEC intervention in ADC leadership, following a Court of Appeal ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026. INEC removed the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as national chairman and national secretary, respectively. The commission also declined to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking court approval as national chairman. INEC said it would suspend recognition of affected officials and refrain from monitoring party conventions until the Federal High Court resolves the substantive case.

Obi’s comments have been met with mixed reactions. Supporters see them as a candid critique of political hypocrisy, highlighting how some former democracy champions have allegedly abandoned the principles they once defended. Critics, however, argue that comparing Abacha — whose regime was widely condemned for human rights abuses — to pro-democracy activists undermines Nigeria’s democratic legacy.

The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was formed in 1994 to demand a return to civilian rule after the annulment of the 1993 elections. Its members, including activists and politicians, played a pivotal role in opposing military dictatorship and advocating for democratic governance.

As the ADC navigates its internal leadership disputes and positions itself ahead of the 2027 general election, Obi’s remarks underscore ongoing debates about democratic accountability, political integrity, and the evolution of leadership in Nigeria.

Obi Criticises Former NADECO Figures, Compares Them to Abacha

Obidients Movement Escalates Pressure on INEC, Demands Joash Amupitan Step Down

The Obidients Movement has announced plans for a nationwide protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, demanding the resignation of INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan over the commission’s handling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis.

The movement claims that recent INEC actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy and compromise the neutrality of key institutions. In a statement released Wednesday, Obidients warned that inaction at this critical moment amounts to complicity.

“There are moments in the life of a nation when silence becomes dangerous and inaction becomes complicity. Nigeria has arrived at such a moment,” the group said.

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The Obidients Movement accused INEC of bias and political interference in opposition party leadership disputes. They cited gross abuse of office, loss of public trust, and failure to uphold neutrality, arguing that these actions undermine the credibility of the electoral process. The group also demanded full respect for party autonomy, an immediate end to political persecution, and protection of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

The nationwide protests will take place across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In Abuja, demonstrators are set to assemble at the ADC National Headquarters before marching to the INEC Secretariat in Maitama. Organizers emphasized that the protest will be peaceful and lawful, noting it is a civic duty to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, not an expression of anger.

“We will remain peaceful, we will remain lawful, but we will not stand by while our democracy is weakened,” the statement said.

Authorities have reportedly deployed heavy security at INEC headquarters ahead of the protest to maintain order and prevent clashes. The Obidients Movement’s action comes amid rising concerns over electoral integrity, opposition suppression, and the future of Nigeria’s multi-party system.

Obidients Movement Escalates Pressure on INEC, Demands Joash Amupitan Step Down

Timi Frank: INEC Actions Threaten Democracy, Calls on Trump to Support Nigeria

A former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy, calling for urgent action from both domestic institutions and the international community, including the United States.

Frank made the remarks on Thursday in response to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) decision to suspend recognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a long-standing internal dispute. The commission said it would await the outcome of a pending Federal High Court suit in Abuja before determining which faction to officially recognise.

According to Frank, INEC’s action is part of a wider pattern that threatens fair political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections. He warned that the challenges facing opposition parties are not isolated incidents but a coordinated effort to weaken alternative political structures in Nigeria. He noted that major parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have faced similar internal crises, and now the ADC is being affected.

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Frank further expressed concern over the judiciary, alleging that some court decisions are being used to frustrate political parties and derail democratic processes. He said the pattern of judicial interference is reminiscent of tactics employed during the era of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, when democratic institutions were widely suppressed.

He also criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claiming that recent government actions point to authoritarian tendencies. Frank suggested that attempts to retain power at all costs could have serious consequences for the country’s democratic governance and warned that Nigeria risks sliding into instability if urgent measures are not taken.

“Nigeria is about to head into anarchy and a crisis that might be difficult to curtail,” Frank said, urging Nigerians and political institutions to defend democratic institutions before it is too late. He called on groups including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and traditional rulers to act decisively.

Frank also appealed to the international community to monitor developments closely. He specifically called on the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to encourage and support the preservation of democratic values in Nigeria, stressing the strategic importance of global engagement in safeguarding free elections.

Meanwhile, the ADC rejected INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling, insisting that the commission acted under pressure from the federal government and did not reflect the party’s actual leadership. The party confirmed that consultations are ongoing to determine the next steps and reaffirmed that over 40,000 Nigerians have joined the party recently, signaling sustained grassroots support.

Analysts say the ongoing ADC leadership crisis underscores broader tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape and highlights the challenges opposition parties face in maintaining cohesion and credibility. The dispute could have significant implications for political realignments and electoral dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Timi Frank: INEC Actions Threaten Democracy, Calls on Trump to Support Nigeria