- Obidient Movement Demands INEC Chairman’s Resignation, Announces Nationwide Protest.
- Group alleges electoral body is losing neutrality and public trust.
- Nationwide protest tagged #OccupyINEC announced across Nigeria.
The Obidient Movement has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, over the commission’s decision regarding the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress.
In a statement, the group also announced plans for a nationwide protest, warning that the development poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the movement cautioned that silence at such a time would amount to complicity.
“There are moments in the life of a nation when silence becomes dangerous, and inaction becomes complicity. Nigeria has arrived at such a moment,” the statement read.
It alleged that the electoral body is no longer viewed as impartial under the current administration.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which should stand as an impartial guardian of the people’s will, is increasingly perceived as compromised under the present administration,” it stated.
The group added that opposition voices appear to be under increasing pressure, warning of risks to the country’s multi-party system.
“When institutions lose credibility, the will of the people is endangered. And when that happens, citizens have a duty to act,” the statement said.
Among its demands, the movement called for the resignation of the INEC chairman, citing “gross abuse of office, loss of public trust, and failure to uphold the neutrality required of that office.”
It also demanded “an immediate end to political persecution, including all forms of intimidation, harassment, and targeting of opposition voices,” as well as the protection of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
The group further called for “full respect for party autonomy, ensuring that the internal leadership and integrity of political parties, including ADC, are not interfered with.”
The movement announced that it would commence a nationwide protest tagged #OccupyINEC across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“In defence of these principles, we are commencing a nationwide peaceful protest starting immediately across all states and the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement added.
