Obidient Movement Demands Amupitan’s Resignation, Announces Nationwide Protest Over ADC Leadership Crisis Allegedly Masterminded By INEC
By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Obidient Movement has asked the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, to step down. The group also announced plans for a nationwide protest following the removal of the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from INEC’s records.
The dispute comes after a prolonged leadership crisis within the ADC. The conflict involves two factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe. The disagreement has resulted in several court cases.
INEC stated on Wednesday that it would no longer recognise correspondence from either faction. The commission based its position on a March 12 ruling by the court of appeal. According to INEC, the judgment directed all parties to maintain the status quo until a lower court delivers a final decision.
In a statement, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC commissioner for information and voter education, said the commission would avoid dealings with both groups. He added that INEC would not monitor their meetings, congresses, or conventions until the federal high court resolves the matter.
INEC also removed the names of the Mark-led executives from its official portal. It said the action followed the appellate court’s directive.
The development has drawn criticism, especially from the Mark-led faction of the ADC. Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s national publicity secretary, accused the electoral body of acting under pressure from “a government panicked by the opposition momentum despite its efforts to destroy all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria”.
Reacting on Thursday, Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, said the group would begin a protest tagged #OccupyINEC across the country.
“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 reads.
The movement claimed that INEC, “which should stand as an impartial guardian of the people’s will, is increasingly perceived as compromised under the present administration,” adding that “when institutions lose credibility, the will of the people is endangered”.
It called for “the resignation of the INEC Chairman for gross abuse of office, loss of public trust, and failure to uphold the neutrality required of that office,” and demanded an end to “political persecution” and actions that weaken opposition parties.
“In defence of these principles, we are commencing a nationwide peaceful protest, #OccupyINEC, starting immediately across all states and the Federal Capital Territory,” the group said.
The movement said protesters in Abuja would gather at the ADC national headquarters before moving in a peaceful march to the INEC headquarters. It urged Nigerians to “organise, mobilise, and participate in a coordinated and disciplined manner”.
“This moment goes beyond party lines. It is about the survival of democratic values and the protection of the Nigerian state itself,” the statement reads.
“We will remain peaceful, we will remain lawful, but we will not stand by while our democracy is weakened. Nigeria must not become a one-party state.”