On Thursday, a group of young demonstrators, under the banner of the National Youth League for Defense of Democracy, called for the arrest and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over the conduct of the 2023 general elections. The protesters also demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari set up an interim government before leaving office on May 29, and annul the recent elections. The group's convener, Dr. Moses Paul, stated that the polls were one of the worst in Nigeria's electoral history, citing human rights abuses in Lagos, Rivers, and Kano. The group further called on Buhari to appoint a new INEC chairman to conduct fresh polls. When asked what they would do if their demands were not met, the group's co-convener, Anngu Orngu, stated that they would continue to demonstrate and seek every civil and lawful means to ensure their message is heard.
The group accused Yakubu of committing the "greatest fraud in the history of humanity" and called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate him. They also called on the Nigerian judiciary to ensure that justice is done in the ongoing court cases concerning the presidential election held on February 25.
The protesters gathered at the Unity Fountain in Abuja to make their demands, and they addressed the media there. They argued that an interim government was necessary to ensure a credible and fair election, as they believed that Buhari's administration had failed in its duty to protect the interests of Nigerians.
The group's demands come at a time of heightened political tension in Nigeria, with many calling for electoral reform and greater accountability in the country's political system. Some observers fear that the protests could escalate into violence if their demands are not met, while others believe that the government may use force to suppress dissent.
As of now, it remains unclear how the government will respond to the protesters' demands, but the situation is being closely monitored by both domestic and international observers. Many are calling for calm and restraint on all sides, as the country navigates a challenging period in its history.
