By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission, accusing it of partisanship and urging a return to neutrality following the #OccupyINEC protest in Abuja.
The opposition leaders spoke after joining other members of the African Democratic Congress and coalition partners at the protest on Wednesday, which was held to challenge recent decisions by the electoral body affecting the party’s leadership.
Kwankwaso, in a statement, said the protest was a united stand by opposition groups against what he described as bias by the commission.
“Today, I joined fellow coalition leaders and committed democrats to strongly condemn the blatant partisanship and compromised neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he said.
He added that “the peaceful procession in Abuja united various opposition groups in a clear message: we will not stand idly by while our electoral umpire undermines the will of the people.”
Kwankwaso further said the opposition would continue to monitor the commission’s activities, stating, “We shall continue to closely monitor INEC’s activities and demand that it immediately returns to the path of impartiality, transparency, and professionalism so that democracy can thrive in Nigeria.”
Atiku, in a separate statement, said he joined other ADC leaders at the protest led by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark.
“This morning, I joined other patriotic leaders of the ADC… led by our indefatigable National Chairman, Sen. David Mark… to participate in a peaceful protest against the partisanship of INEC and the tyranny of the Tinubu-led APC administration,” he said.
He added that the protest sent a clear message to authorities, noting, “I believe they received the message that this effort to undermine our democracy will not succeed. It will be resisted and challenged to the best of our abilities.”
Atiku also called for international attention, saying, “I also hope that the international community is paying attention to the threat to Nigeria, its democracy, and the opposition.”
The protest followed growing tensions between ADC factions and INEC after the commission announced it would no longer recognise communications from rival leadership groups within the party, citing a subsisting court order.
Leaders and members of the party, alongside other opposition figures, had earlier gathered at Maitama Roundabout in Abuja under the #OccupyINEC banner, demanding reforms and accusing the electoral body of actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s multi-party system.
The Punch