Some Nigerians aggrieved with the outcome of the 2023 general elections on Friday besieged the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to protest the outcome of the just-concluded polls.
The group, under the aegis of Free Nigeria Movement marched on major roads of Maitama in Abuja, singing solidarity songs with placards that showed their displeasure with the conduct and outcome of the presidential election.
The procession rose from the Unity Fountain and berthed at the INEC headquarters.
The convener of the group, Moses Paul, explained that the protest became necessary due to the magnitude of impunity committed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, during the collation of results, while describing the presidential election as a charade and the worst in the history of the country.
He said the spending on the election juxtaposed with the outcome culminated in total waste of the nation’s resources.
According to him, “Prof. Mahmoud represents everything that is wrong with Nigeria today. He had a simple straightforward role of collating and announcing the will of Nigerians.
“There are rules, guidelines and laws guiding conduct, collation and declaration of results. He spoke extensively on the promise of a free, fair and all inclusive election. But he chose the path of shame to become an instrument in the hands of the enemies of Nigeria.”
He maintained that the protest is neither for nor against any particular candidate but against “any further desecration of our laws,” insisting that “Nigeria sits at the edge of precipice and any more flagrant display of injustice or promotion of illegality could upset the balance.”
2023 election: Protesters storm INEC office, accuse Yakubu of electoral fraud
