₦airaland Forum

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the #OccupyINEC protest led by opposition figures, questioning the basis of the demonstration following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) derecognition of a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Reacting to the protest, Keyamo dismissed claims that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat, arguing that the controversy surrounding the ADC leadership dispute does not warrant such nationwide agitation.

“So, the survival of our democracy is now anchored on the recognition of one faction of one of the 21 registered political parties we have in this country?” he said.


He further downplayed the political strength of the faction involved, noting that “the same faction, even when recognised, could not win a single Council seat in the just-concluded FCT election."

The minister also accused the protesters of attempting to pressure institutions to act outside established legal processes.

“Democracy now means their own logic in the media space MUST be accepted and our judiciary processes ignored?” he asked.

“These fellows think they can blackmail everyone to do their bidding AT ALL COST. Unfortunately for them, Nigerians are not so gullible,” Keyamo added.


The protest, which took place at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, was led by prominent opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi.

The group demanded the resignation of INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, following the commission’s decision to derecognise the faction led by former Senate President David Mark.

A large crowd of protesters gathered at the commission’s headquarters despite steady rainfall, calling for electoral accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.


The demonstration began earlier in the day at Mark’s residence, where a service was held to mark his 78th birthday, before participants marched in a coordinated procession to INEC’s office.

yarimo:
ADC hijackers are shameless people claiming patriotic opposition

Pakute:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/nigerians-not-gullible-keyamo-slams-adc-leaders-over-occupyinec-protest/

Hardtalk:
There’s No Stopping Fashola’s Probe —Keyamo
April 16, 2010 15:02, 1,040 views
By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos lawyer and counsel to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Keyamo says nothing would stop the House from probing allegations of financial misappropriation against Governor Babatunde Fashola.

He called on the governor to submit himself to probe in order to clear himself, saying there was no hiding through court injunction to dodge the probe against him.

The State House of Assembly had yesterday set up a fresh 7-member committee to probe allegations against the governor by the True Face of Lagos, which staged a protest to the House recently to demand probe of the governor.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS this morning, Keyamo said that the governor should be probed, adding that the accolades the governor received in the media should not divert attention from the real thing.

“Every public officer has a duty to give account of stewardship no matter the height of praise singing he receives from the press. The office you are occupying is not your father’s property but the public.

“Probe is not the same thing as verdict of guilt, but an opportunity for one to clear himself. If Fashola believes his hands are clean, now is the opportunity for him to shine,” he stated.

According to him, “Fashola should take the path of honour and clear himself of the allegations. He can’t continue to hide under court injunction.

“If you say you plant grass and flower, come and tell the people how much you spent in planting them, tell them how you spent their money because it is not your father’s money.

“The House must go ahead with the probe because it is their constitutional and moral duty to do what they want to do. They have now properly published the allegations in their official journal.”

Comrade Bamidele Aturu, who was counsel to Mr. Richard Akinola, the man who first went to court to stop the House from probing the governor, said “we will assess our legal option and deal with the issue.”

Aturu stated that if the House erred in setting up the new committee, it would be challenged in the court, saying that “we are for democracy and probity.”

Also, Majority Leader, Lagos Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo said the House had already published the allegations in the Assembly’s journal, saying that the House would go ahead with the probe.


http://thepmnews.com/2010/04/16/there%E2%80%99s-no-stopping-fashola%E2%80%99s-probe-%E2%80%94keyamo

Pakute:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/nigerians-not-gullible-keyamo-slams-adc-leaders-over-occupyinec-protest/

Pakute:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/nigerians-not-gullible-keyamo-slams-adc-leaders-over-occupyinec-protest/

Eyakuare:
See this one. Instead of you to face your aviation issues you are here talking nonsense. A lawyer turned influencer. Una eyes go clear soon. Nigeria must arise and shine.

Pakute:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/nigerians-not-gullible-keyamo-slams-adc-leaders-over-occupyinec-protest/

DatNiggaDaz:


Stop talking nonsense. You shoukd have a reason to be in anxiety. Nigerians are tired of your lies, deciet, gaslighting and propaganda.

In all sectors, their is failure. You and your principal are extremely clueless and annoyingly incompetent and very very wicked.

So stop yapping jargons. Your time is up

DrugPRESIDENT01:
This tactics don't work anymore

It unfortunate politics is really a game of interest

I know ADC will accommodate this failed lawyer in the late hr... But if I am to say

Cam American way of politics be played in. Nigeria? This man should not not be let in even if ADC loose

Racoon:
The ranking placed Nigeria in 186th position, only after Haiti, among 187 countries of the world. Nigeria is the second country in the world with the lowest voter turnout, worse than war-ravaged Afghanistan and Libya, a new ranking by Picodi has shown.

The ranking placed Nigeria in 186th position, only after Haiti, among 187 countries of the world. Nigeria also ranked worst in Africa. Nigeria’s low voter turnout

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Nigeria recorded a new low in voter turnout during the last general elections. With a national turnout of 29 per cent, a Premium Times analysis showed that the last election had the lowest participation rate in the country’s six decades of independence.

It further revealed that of the 93.4 million registered voters this year, 87.2 million people collected their Permanent Voters Card and the total number of actual voters on election day was only 24.9 million..The winner of the election, Bola Tinubu, had less than nine million votes, roughly 10 per cent of the total eligible voters.

Another analysis by this newspaper revealed that all the 18 candidates in Nigeria’s February elections received only 27.55 per cent of the total eligible votes.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/634921-voter-turnout-nigeria-ranks-worlds-second-worst-nation-report.html?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

DeepSight:
+
We all know it's been almost a year since you had a proper meal.

Tjra:
There are 21 political parties in Nigeria. So, how does INEC not recognising illegitimate party leaders hijackers turn Nigeria into a one-party state? These crooks in ADC must truly think we are gullible.

yarimo:
ADC hijackers are shameless people claiming patriotic opposition