#OccupyINEC protest: Kwankwaso slams INEC, alleges ‘blatant partisanship’

Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis, describing the electoral body as partisan and lacking neutrality.

Kwankwaso made the remarks on Wednesday after joining other opposition figures at the #OccupyINEC protest held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

“Today, I joined fellow coalition leaders and committed democrats to strongly condemn the blatant partisanship and compromised neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.

The protest was led by prominent opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi.

Participants gathered at INEC headquarters to demand electoral accountability following the commission’s decision to derecognise the faction of the ADC led by David Mark.

Kwankwaso said the protest reflected growing concerns among opposition groups over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The peaceful procession in Abuja united various opposition groups in a clear message: we will not stand idly by while our electoral umpire undermines the will of the people,” he stated.

He further warned that opposition leaders would continue to monitor the activities of the electoral body closely.

“We shall continue to closely monitor INEC’s activities and demand that it immediately returns to the path of impartiality, transparency, and professionalism so that democracy can thrive in Nigeria,” Kwankwaso added.

The protest, held amid steady rainfall, drew a large crowd and evolved into a broader coalition rally, with participants from different political parties and civil society groups joining calls for reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.