Kwara State, Nigeria — In a defining moment for Nigeria’s democratic journey, His Excellency Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, led millions of Nigerians in the historic #OccupyNASS protest, demanding transparency, accountability, and electoral justice.
The protest transcended a conventional demonstration; it was a people’s movement. Citizens united to challenge electoral manipulation and insist on the mandatory, real-time transmission of results from polling units—the only effective safeguard against the longstanding culture of rigging and result alteration at ward, local government, state, and national INEC collation centres.
Peter Obi’s presence was both symbolic and strategic, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to integrity, accountability, and people-centered leadership. At a time when many leaders remain silent or defer action for convenience, Obi stood shoulder to shoulder with ordinary Nigerians, defending the sanctity of their votes.
Equally noteworthy is the discipline and resilience of the Obidient Movement. Driven not by violence or hate but by hope, conscience, and a belief in a better Nigeria, the movement has cultivated a new political culture rooted in competence, transparency, and civic responsibility.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also played a pivotal role, aligning with the call for real-time transmission of results. The party’s principled stance demonstrated true patriotism, prioritizing the nation’s democratic future above partisan interests.
The demands of the protest are clear and non-negotiable: every vote must count, every result must be visible, and all results must be transmitted in real time. Democracy can only flourish when the electoral process is credible and the outcomes reflect the true will of the people.
The #OccupyNASS protest has sent an unmistakable message to Nigeria’s corridors of power: the citizens are vigilant, united, and ready to defend their democracy. History will remember this event not merely as a protest, but as a turning point in the nation’s democratic evolution.
Ibraheemalfa Abdulrasheed Gbagba
Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Kwara State, Nigeria
