Dare Babalola
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Showunmi, has criticised the recent protest by members and allies of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as a misguided attempt to pressure institutions and gain political advantage.
In a statement posted on Thursday via X, Showunmi argued that while protest remains a democratic right, it must not be exploited as a tool for coercion or political opportunism.
His remarks come a day after opposition figures, including David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, led a protest in Abuja under the banner of “Save Democracy,” raising concerns over the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ongoing disputes within the ADC.
Reacting to the development, Showunmi said, “Let us be clear: the right to protest is not a license for political opportunism, nor is it a tool for blackmailing institutions into surrender.”
He further described some of the actors involved as “recent converts” who, according to him, are attempting to reap benefits from a political platform they only recently joined.
The PDP chieftain pointed to what he called contradictions within the ADC, noting that individuals who have moved across multiple parties are now seeking to assert legitimacy through public pressure rather than established processes.
“Those now shouting the loudest under the banner of grievance are, in many cases, political migrants who only just arrived, yet already demand to harvest where they neither sowed nor invested,” he stated.
Showunmi also defended the stance of Independent National Electoral Commission, insisting that the commission must not yield to external pressure, especially in matters already before the courts.
“INEC is not a clearing house for political desperation. It is not obligated to bend to street pressure or media theatrics,” he said, adding that the commission has a duty to adhere strictly to due process where party leadership disputes exist.
He further characterised the protest as a calculated attempt to influence institutional decisions, warning that such actions could undermine democratic principles.
According to him, “what we are witnessing is not principled dissent; it is calculated pressure a familiar cast of recycled politicians testing whether they can once again bend the system to their will.”
Wednesday’s protest in Abuja saw opposition leaders and supporters demand greater transparency and fairness from INEC amid lingering internal crises within the ADC, particularly over leadership legitimacy and party structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The demonstration, which drew attention nationwide, has since triggered mixed reactions across the political spectrum.
Showunmi, however, maintained that internal party disagreements must be resolved through constitutional mechanisms and the judiciary, not through public agitation.
“If there are grievances, the path is clear: follow your party’s constitution, submit to the courts, and earn legitimacy through process not protest,” he concluded.
He warned that allowing political actors to bypass due process through protests could set a dangerous precedent, urging institutions to remain firm.
“The line must hold. Institutions must not blink. And those who seek shortcuts must be prepared to confront the consequences,” he added.
