By Lateef Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, immediate past National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party and leader of Kwankwasia movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi are leading opposition figures, who staged a peaceful protest in Abuja on Wednesday.
The protest centred on what the organisers described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democratic system.
The “Save our Democracy” protest in Abuja, also had former Senate President David Mark, as well as former governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun State) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State) in attendance.
The protest, held at Maitama Roundabout in the Federal Capital Territory, equally attracted supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), civil society groups, and concerned citizens.
Shedding light on the protest,
Atiku, in a statement shared on his X handle on Wednesday, said the protest was aimed at resisting what he described as bias within the electoral system and protecting Nigeria’s democracy from authoritarian tendencies.
“Myself and other leaders of the ADC are peacefully protesting against the partisanship of the electoral umpire. Our patriotic stance is aimed at safeguarding our democracy and preventing the enthronement of a dictatorship,” Atiku stated.
It will be recalled, also, that Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, who is now a chieftain of ADC, had earlier mobilised Nigerians for the demonstration via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
He described the protest as a collective response to perceived attempts to undermine democratic principles, including fears of political dominance by a single party, weakening opposition structures, and declining public confidence in electoral processes.
According to organisers, the protest was driven by concerns over what they described as a shrinking democratic space, allegations of institutional bias, and the need to safeguard electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Participants also cited worsening economic conditions and governance challenges, warning that a weakened democratic system could further erode accountability and reduce citizen participation.
While addressing supporters, Obi stressed the urgency of defending democratic values and resisting what he described as a dangerous drift toward a one-party state.
“We, members and leaders of the ADC and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed.
“We say no to a one-party system, and for that reason today we are calling on Nigerians who believe in unity, peace and the security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land,” Obi stated.
Kwankwaso, a former presidential candidate and prominent political figure, also lent his presence to the protest, reinforcing the coalition’s message and signalling growing cooperation among opposition leaders.
A flyer circulated ahead of the demonstration echoed calls for civic action, urging Nigerians to “defend our freedom” and “protect our vote,” while highlighting the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
The protest reflects increasing political mobilisation among opposition groups and civic actors, as debates intensify over governance, electoral credibility, and the future of Nigeria’s multi-party system ahead of the next election cycle.
