… keep date a secret ‘to avoid intimidation, harassment’
Obidient Movement says it will not back down on its planned nationwide protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The movement, which is a platform for the supporters of Peter Obi, insisted that the demonstration will go ahead despite mounting tension.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, disclosed this while speaking The Punch.
He expressed the readiness of the group to mobilise supporters across for the protest against INEC.
But Tanko refused to disclose the exact date scheduled for the demonstration for fear of further harassment and intimidation of intending protesters.
According to him, “No, we cannot reveal the date now. We also know they are planning for us. Of course, INEC is our target.
“This commission is now becoming the arbiter, judge, accuser and defender at the same time.
“Our major issue is the manner in which INEC has been going about creating disaffection in the opposition.
“The people are really angry and plan to show this anger by coming out. So, we’ll expect them to come out en masse for a peaceful rally. Then we’ll just demonstrate and protest.”
The Obedient Movement coordinator said what they demanded was for those in authority to do the right thing.
He added, “The situation in our country is so unpredictable to the point that even those in government are no longer disturbed by rallies and protests. It doesn’t shake them. But we know something else will shake them.
“All Nigerians are asking for is not a war, but for those in authority to do the right thing.”
On whether civil society organisations would be part of the planned action, Tanko added, “Everybody should be involved in this matter. If we continue in this line, one day we will not even be able to go to the toilet in this country.
“So they have no choice but to come out and defend the interests of this country.
“We need to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria, not individuals. That’s what we are doing.”
The group’s plan to organise a demonstration against INEC is coming amid growing political tension surrounding the electoral body and its recent decisions affecting the opposition African Democratic Congress.
Three days earlier, the Obidient Movement had announced plans for a nationwide protest tagged #OccupyINEC, demanding sweeping reforms and the resignation of the commission’s chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan.
The Obedient Movement, in a statement issued on April 2, said recent developments had heightened concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the perceived neutrality of key institutions.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which should stand as an impartial guardian of the people’s will, is increasingly perceived as compromised under the present administration,” it stated.
The group warned that opposition voices were facing mounting pressure, raising fears over the future of Nigeria’s multi-party system.
“When institutions lose credibility, the will of the people is endangered. And when that happens, citizens have a duty to act,” it added.
Among its demands, the movement called for the resignation of the INEC chairman, citing “gross abuse of office, loss of public trust, and failure to uphold the neutrality required of that office.”
It also demanded “an immediate end to political persecution, including all forms of intimidation, harassment, and targeting of opposition voices,” alongside the protection of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
The group further called for “full respect for party autonomy, ensuring that the internal leadership and integrity of political parties, including ADC, are not interfered with.”
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, INEC announced that it would no longer accept correspondence from either faction of the ADC led by David Mark or Rafiu Bala, following its review of the Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership tussle.
The development heightened tensions, as the Mark-led faction announced plans to engage foreign envoys and take its case to the international community.
The opposition party also accused the All Progressives Congress and Bola Tinubu of being responsible for the crisis within the party.
