Former lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, joined protesters in Abuja where he led them in singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots.”
The protest took place at Unity Fountain in Maitama and was largely attended by members of the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Melaye stood atop a moving van, energizing the crowd as they sang the old anthem.
This development comes despite the recent policy change by President Bola Tinubu, who on May 29, 2024, signed the National Anthem Bill into law. The law officially reinstated “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”—the anthem used between 1960 and 1978 replacing “Arise, O Compatriots.”
The decision sparked widespread public backlash, with many Nigerians criticizing both the president and the National Assembly. The announcement was made during a joint session marking the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, and since then, the reinstated anthem has been used at official events nationwide.
However, in a surprising twist at the #OperationSaveOurDemocracy protest, Melaye encouraged demonstrators to sing the replaced anthem.
The protest, organized by coalition leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is reportedly heading toward the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The demonstration is in response to the alleged derecognition of the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a post on X, stated that the protest was a peaceful effort to challenge what he described as the electoral body’s partisanship. He said the movement aims to protect Nigeria’s democracy and prevent the emergence of a one-party state.
Similarly, Peter Obi called on Nigerians to support the protest and resist what he described as attempts by the current administration to dominate the political landscape.
Other prominent figures present at the protest included former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
