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

ADC Defies INEC, Moves Ahead with Congresses, Convention

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that it will proceed with its planned congresses and national convention, notwithstanding uncertainties surrounding its recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the party.

Abdullahi disclosed that the ADC had duly notified Independent National Electoral Commission of its scheduled activities, in compliance with the statutory requirement of issuing a 21-day notice. He added that the commission acknowledged receipt of the notice.

Despite INEC’s stance on the party’s leadership crisis, Abdullahi maintained that the ADC would not suspend its internal processes, stressing its resolve to conduct its congresses and national convention as planned.

“We will go ahead with our congresses. We have given INEC 21 days’ notice, and they have accepted the notice. Whether they come or not, we will continue with our congresses and our convention,” he said.

The ADC spokesman also raised concerns over what he described as increasing threats to Nigeria’s democratic process, warning against alleged moves to stifle political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He argued that recent developments suggest attempts to limit voters’ choices, drawing parallels with past experiences in the country’s political history.

“If we were in a military regime, one could understand. But we are seeing a situation where everything is being done to make the 2027 election a fait accompli, leaving Nigerians with little or no choice,” Abdullahi stated.

The controversy follows INEC’s decision to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, from its official portal.

The electoral body had also indicated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through judicial means.

Amid the uncertainty, Abdullahi reiterated the party’s commitment to sustaining its internal democratic processes, warning that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected from actions capable of undermining political plurality.

ADC Defies INEC, Moves Ahead with Congresses, Convention