Abuja, Nigeria – In a dramatic display of political defiance, former Senator Dino Melaye on Wednesday led hundreds of protesters in singing Nigeria’s pre-1978 National Anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja, as part of the ongoing #OperationSaveOurDemocracy protest.
Melaye, who represented Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate, mounted a moving van and rallied the crowd – largely composed of members of the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement – to belt out the anthem that was officially replaced earlier this week by the one reinstated by President Bola Tinubu.
The protest comes barely days after President Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law on May 29, 2024, restoring “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” – the anthem used from Nigeria’s independence in 1960 until 1978 – and replacing the more familiar “Arise, O Compatriots.” The reversal, announced during a joint session of the National Assembly to mark the 25th anniversary of the Fourth Republic, has sparked widespread outrage across the country, with many Nigerians viewing it as an unnecessary distraction from pressing economic and security challenges.
Despite the official change, Melaye and the protesters deliberately chose to sing the “old” anthem, turning the moment into a powerful symbolic statement against what they describe as attempts to erode democratic values and suppress opposition voices.
The #OperationSaveOurDemocracy protest, spearheaded by leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is primarily targeting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its decision to derecognise the David Mark-led leadership of the party. Protesters marched from Unity Fountain towards the INEC headquarters in Abuja, chanting slogans and carrying placards condemning alleged partisanship by the electoral umpire.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a key figure in the opposition coalition, took to X (formerly Twitter) to lend his voice to the movement. “We are out on the streets of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, to peacefully protest against the partisanship of the electoral umpire,” Atiku wrote. “Our patriotic stance is aimed at safeguarding our democracy and preventing the enthronement of a dictatorship.”
Similarly, Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, issued a strong call to action in a separate post, urging Nigerians to join the coalition leaders in rejecting what he described as President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government’s alleged plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
The protest drew an impressive array of heavyweight political figures, signalling the growing strength of the emerging opposition coalition. Among those present were former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, former Kano State Governor and Kwankwasiyya Movement leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi. Their participation has added significant political weight to the demonstration and raised expectations that the coalition could pose a formidable challenge to the ruling APC in future elections.
Dino Melaye, known for his fiery oratory and larger-than-life personality, energised the crowd with his trademark style. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere at Unity Fountain as electric, with protesters waving Nigerian flags and singing both versions of the anthem at different intervals to drive home their message of resistance.
Political observers note that the deliberate singing of “Arise, O Compatriots” represents more than nostalgia; it has become a symbol of protest against perceived authoritarian tendencies and rushed policy decisions by the current administration. Many Nigerians, especially on social media, had earlier criticised the anthem change as tone-deaf, coming at a time when inflation, unemployment, and insecurity continue to ravage the country.
“This is not just about an anthem,” said one protester who preferred anonymity. “It is about rejecting every attempt to rewrite our democratic story and silence dissenting voices. We will not be cowed.”
The timing of the protest is particularly significant. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, opposition parties are intensifying efforts to build a united front against the APC. The African Democratic Congress appears to be positioning itself as a viable platform for this coalition, attracting heavyweights who previously belonged to different political blocs.
INEC has yet to issue an official response to the protest, but sources within the commission indicate that security has been beefed up around its headquarters in anticipation of the demonstrators’ arrival. The electoral body’s recent decision regarding the ADC leadership has been described by critics as a move that undermines internal party democracy and favours the ruling party.
As the protesters made their way towards INEC, heavy security presence was visible across major routes in Abuja. However, the demonstration has so far remained largely peaceful, in line with the organisers’ commitment to non-violent protest.
This latest development adds to the growing list of challenges facing President Tinubu’s administration, which has been battling criticism over economic policies, fuel subsidy removal aftermath, and currency reforms. The opposition’s ability to mobilise such high-profile figures and large crowds in the capital city suggests that the political temperature in Nigeria is rising steadily.
Analysts believe that if the coalition sustains this momentum, it could reshape the opposition landscape significantly. The involvement of experienced politicians like Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Aregbesola, Atiku, Obi, and Melaye provides the movement with both grassroots appeal and strategic depth.
For Dino Melaye, the action further cements his reputation as a vocal critic of the ruling government. The former senator, who has had a chequered relationship with successive administrations, has once again placed himself at the centre of national discourse.
As the protesters converge on INEC, all eyes remain on how the electoral commission and the federal government will respond. The coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether this coalition can translate street protests into a sustained political movement capable of challenging the APC’s dominance.
The defiance shown through the singing of the old anthem may appear symbolic, but it underscores a deeper national conversation about identity, governance, and the future direction of Africa’s largest democracy.
