Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday criticised leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the #OccupyINEC protest held earlier in Abuja.
The protest, led by former Vice President and Chieftain of the Party, Atiku Abubakar alongside former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kano Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, was organised in response to the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark.
Reacting to the demonstration, Keyamo dismissed claims that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat, questioning why the fate of the country should hinge on a single faction within one political party.
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“So, the survival of our democracy is now anchored on the recognition of one faction of one of the 21 registered political parties?” he queried.
The faction in question according to Keyamo lacks electoral credibility, stating that it failed to secure even a single council seat in the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections.
Keyamo accused the protesting opposition figures of attempting to undermine established legal and judicial processes through public pressure noting that Nigerians “are not so gullible” to be swayed by political pressure.
“Democracy now means their own logic in the media space must be accepted and our judiciary processes ignored?” he said.
He insisted that Nigeria’s democratic institutions, including the judiciary and INEC, must be respected and allowed to function independently.
Meanwhile, the opposition leaders maintain that their protest was aimed at defending democracy and ensuring electoral transparency.
Participants at the rally accused INEC of partisanship and called for accountability, warning against actions they believe could undermine the credibility of future elections.
The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew a coalition of political actors and supporters who converged at INEC headquarters in Abuja to demand reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
