The Obidient Movement has called for a nationwide protest and demanded the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, following the commission’s decision on the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement issued on April 2, 2026, the group said recent developments have raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the neutrality of key institutions.
“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 statement read.
The movement alleged that INEC is no longer being perceived as impartial under the current administration.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which should stand as an impartial guardian of the people’s will, is increasingly perceived as compromised under the present administration,” it stated.
It added that opposition voices appear to be facing mounting pressure, warning of potential threats to Nigeria’s multi-party system.
“When institutions lose credibility, the will of the people is endangered. And when that happens, citizens have a duty to act,” the group said.
Among its key demands, the Obidient Movement called for the resignation of the INEC chairman, citing “gross abuse of office, loss of public trust, and failure to uphold the neutrality required of that office.”
The group also demanded “an immediate end to political persecution, including all forms of intimidation, harassment, and targeting of opposition voices,” as well as the protection of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
It further called for “full respect for party autonomy, ensuring that the internal leadership and integrity of political parties, including ADC, are not interfered with.”
The movement announced plans to commence a nationwide protest tagged #OccupyINEC across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“In defence of these principles, we are commencing a nationwide peaceful protest starting immediately across all states and the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement said.
It noted that in Abuja, protesters are expected to converge at the ADC national headquarters before proceeding in a peaceful march to the INEC headquarters.
“This is a call to action grounded not in anger, but in duty — a collective effort to safeguard the democratic future of our country,” the statement added.
The group emphasised that the protest would be peaceful and lawful, insisting that citizens must act to defend democratic values.
“We will remain peaceful, we will remain lawful, but we will not stand by while our democracy is weakened,” it said.
Comments
Post a Comment