[PHOTOS] ADC petitions INEC, seeks removal of Amupitan over alleged partisanship

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) calling for the removal or resignation of the commission’s chairman over allegations of partisan conduct and constitutional violations.

The petition, delivered through the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, accused the INEC chairman of gross misconduct and actions the party claims could undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.

According to the party, the move followed INEC’s decision to derecognize the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC, a development that has sparked political tensions between the electoral body and the opposition group.

In a statement shared on its Facebook page, the ADC said the petition urged authorities to take immediate steps to address what it described as breaches of the principles guiding the neutrality and independence of the electoral commission.

The petition was submitted amid heightened political activity in Abuja, where several opposition leaders staged a protest under the banner of the “Save Nigeria Democracy” movement.

Leading the march were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Senate President David Mark, and Aregbesola.

The protest began at Maitama Roundabout and proceeded toward the headquarters of INEC in the Federal Capital Territory.

Demonstrators carried placards bearing messages such as “Hands off our courts” and “Tinubu, let our democracy breathe,” while calling for the protection of democratic institutions and the independence of Nigeria’s electoral system.

Amaechi addressed the crowd from a vehicle during the march, urging participants to maintain calm and ensure that the protest remained peaceful.

Commenting on the demonstration, Atiku said the protest was aimed at defending Nigeria’s democratic values.

In a post on his X account, the former vice president said he and other ADC leaders were protesting what they described as the partisan conduct of the electoral umpire.

“Our patriotic stance is aimed at safeguarding our democracy and preventing the enthronement of a dictatorship,” he wrote.

Earlier, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi had appealed to Nigerians to join the protest, urging citizens who value democracy to resist what he described as moves toward a one-party system.

Photos and videos shared online showed Obi, Kwankwaso, and other opposition figures holding banners with pro-democracy messages as they marched alongside supporters through the streets of Abuja.

The protest and the petition submitted to INEC come against the backdrop of growing political mobilization ahead of future elections, with opposition figures calling for transparency and neutrality in the conduct of the country’s electoral process.