Prominent Nigerian political figures, including former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Wednesday led a large protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
The protest drew a massive crowd despite steady rainfall, as demonstrators demanded greater electoral accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Participants initially gathered at David Mark’s residence, where a morning service was held to mark his 78th birthday, before proceeding in a coordinated march toward the INEC headquarters.
What began as a protest associated with a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) quickly evolved into a broader coalition movement. Individuals from various political parties and civil groups joined, transforming it into a nationwide call for electoral transparency and democratic integrity.
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Myself and other leaders of the ADC are peacefully protesting against the partisanship of the electoral umpire. Our patriotic stance is aimed at safeguarding our democracy and preventing the enthronement of a dictatorship. -AA pic.twitter.com/tYbU6v6a7Q
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 8, 2026
One of the protesters, Muyideen Bashiru, noted that the turnout reflected widespread concern across party lines, with attendees traveling from different parts of the country.
“We’re currently heading towards the INEC office. You can see the crowd; there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people gathered,” Bashiru said.
Other notable figures present included former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye and several political stakeholders.
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The procession moved from the Apo Legislative Quarters, growing in size as more people joined along major roads in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Bashiru, the protest had initially been planned for the previous week but was postponed due to heavy security deployment, including roadblocks and patrol vehicles.
However, Wednesday’s demonstration appeared largely unannounced.
“Today feels different. It seems spontaneous, almost as if security agencies were caught off guard,” he added.
Despite the rain, the crowd continued to grow at the INEC headquarters, maintaining an atmosphere that was intense but orderly.
“You can see the crowd behind me; it’s still growing, and the energy is intense,” Bashiru said.
