Former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso were among top political figures who led a protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja on Wednesday.
The protest drew a large crowd despite steady rainfall, as demonstrators marched to demand electoral accountability and raise concerns over the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The gathering reportedly began earlier in the day at David Mark’s residence, where a morning service was held to mark his 78th birthday. From there, participants moved in a coordinated procession toward the INEC headquarters.
Although the protest was initially linked to a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), it quickly expanded into a broader political demonstration. Supporters and members of other parties reportedly joined the march, turning it into a wider rally centred on democracy, electoral fairness, and political inclusion.
One of the protesters, Muyideen Bashiru, said the turnout reflected widespread dissatisfaction that cuts across party lines. According to him, participants came from different parts of the country to be part of the action.
“We’re currently heading towards the INEC office. You can see the crowd; there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people gathered,” he said.
Other notable figures seen at the protest included Dino Melaye and several political allies from across the opposition space.
“As you can see, it’s massive. This is not just about the ADC; there are members of other political parties here as well,” Bashiru added.
The protesters reportedly moved from Apo Legislative Quarters toward the INEC headquarters, with the crowd swelling along the route and taking over major roads in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to reports, the protest had originally been scheduled for the previous week but was called off due to heavy security deployment, including roadblocks and patrol teams. Wednesday’s demonstration, however, appeared to come with less prior notice, suggesting a more strategic and spontaneous approach.
“But today feels different, it seems spontaneous, almost as if security agencies were caught off guard,” Bashiru said.
Despite the rain, the atmosphere at the INEC office remained charged but peaceful, with protesters maintaining their presence and continuing to call for transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The protest adds another layer to the rising political tension ahead of 2027, especially as opposition figures continue to accuse institutions of actions they believe could undermine free political participation.