ADC crisis: Security beefed up at INEC over threats of protests

By Omeiza Ajayi

A joint detachment of defence, security and intelligence personnel on Thursday formed a cordon around the vicinity of the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, as part of measures to stave off clashes between two groups of protesters.

Men of the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the State Security Service, SSS, were in the area monitoring developments and restricting access of people to the commission.

There had been mass mobilisation on social media under the hashtag #OccupyINEC.

Earlier in the day, a group of youths, operating under the banner of the “Concerned Nigeria Youth Forum,” were at the commission in solidarity with the decision to delist Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from the INEC’s list of political party leaders on its portal.

Carrying a large banner that read, “For a Credible Process in the Best Interest of Nigeria,” the protesters marched through traffic in the area, chanting slogans and calling for INEC to uphold its commitment to fair elections.

The march, which began in the early morning hours, was met with a significant security presence. Members of the Nigeria Police Force were seen intercepting the group near the INEC headquarters, leading to a brief standoff.

While the atmosphere was a bit tense, the interaction remained largely non-violent as officers worked to manage the flow of traffic and prevent the crowd from breaching the main gates.

A spokesperson for the forum explained the motivation behind the march, pointing to recent public discourse surrounding the commission’s performance.

“Recently, we have observed a campaign of calumny and undue attacks against INEC. We are here to say that the interest of the country must come first. We want a credible process, and we want the commission to know that the youth of this nation are watching,” he said.

The group emphasised that their march was a “support” effort, intended to pressure the commission into maintaining neutrality and transparency amidst political pressure from various quarters.

Also, another group, the National Opposition Movement, had written to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, requesting “traffic control and escort support for a planned peaceful protest on 2nd April, 2026”.

“The National Opposition Movement to formally notify your office and respectfully request the support of the Federal Road Safety Corps in providing traffic control and escort services for a planned peaceful protest scheduled for Thursday, 2nd April 2026, in Abuja.

“The protest is a lawful civic engagement and will involve an organised procession along designated routes within the city,” the group said in the letter signed by its leader, Kasimu Maigari.

The group, which is aligned with the David Mark-led ADC leadership, said it would start its protest from the Transcorp Hilton Junction in Maitama, move through the Shehu Shagari Way and end at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the Three Arms Zone.

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