*’We’ll Not Be Silent, Will Of Nigerians Must Prevail’
*Amaechi Urges Nigerians To Arise, Seize Destiny In Their Hands
Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, Wednesday night spoke about joining several prominent politicians who took to the streets of Abuja, the nation’s capital, yesterday to protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obi was seen alongside the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Kano State, Engr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal and others holding the placards of the main opposition coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a “Save our Democracy’ protest.
It came after INEC’s decision to de-recognize the party leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark.
Obi wrote on X: “Today, I joined fellow Nigerians, leaders, and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by National Chairman Sen. David Mark to participate in a peaceful “Save Democracy” protest.
“This event was not just an effort to protect our democracy; it was also a moment of reflection on how far we have fallen as a nation.
“We must resist the suffocation of our democracy by those who once claimed to have sacrificed to defend it, but are now doing everything possible to undermine it and silence opposition.
“History will not be kind to those who traded the struggle for democracy for the comfort of power. We will not remain silent, we will not be intimidated, and we will not surrender the future of this nation. The will of the people must prevail—stronger, louder, and impossible to suppress.”
During the protest proper, the demonstrators sang Nigeria’s former national anthem, ‘Arise, O Compatriots!’ even though it was replaced on 29 May, 2024 by President Bola Tinubu with the 1960 independence anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ -a seeming act of defiance and lack of confidence in the incumbent.
Addressing the crowd, Amaechi urged Nigerians to seize their destiny in their hands and resist political manipulation, calling on citizens to stand up for the integrity of the nation’s democracy.
A post on Tambuwal’s X handle quoted Amaechi as saying, “Alongside other leaders of the ADC, I am participating in a peaceful protest against the perceived partisanship of the electoral umpire.
“This patriotic action is driven by our collective commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that our electoral process remains credible, fair, and transparent.
“We must resist any attempt to undermine democratic institutions or pave the way for authoritarian tendencies.
“Our stance is not just political, it is a duty to protect the integrity of our nation and preserve the will of the people.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Obi (l), Kwankwaso (2nd left), Tambuwal (3rd left) and other ADC national political heavyweights during the protest… yesterday.
