‘Standing Up for Democracy’ Protest: Obi insists people’s will must prevail

Africa, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria, 8 April 2026 (NPA) — Peter Obi, a presidential aspirant and leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has cautioned that history will not be kind to those who traded the struggle for democracy for the comfort of power.

Speaking after joining ADC leaders in a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, Obi declared: “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.”

The demonstration was organised to demand that INEC reverse its decision to deregister the ADC, citing ongoing court proceedings.

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Other prominent figures at the protest included Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria; Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State; Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State; David Mark, former Senate President and ADC National Chairman before INEC’s derecognition; Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun State and ADC National Secretary before INEC’s decision; and Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State, among others.

In his statement titled “Standing Up for Democracy”, Obi described the protest as not only a defence of democracy but also a reflection on how far the nation has fallen. He urged Nigerians to resist attempts to suffocate democratic freedoms by those who once claimed to have sacrificed for them but now seek to undermine opposition.