Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday led protesters to the National Assembly in Abuja, opposing the Senate’s decision to reject mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
The demonstration, tagged ‘Occupy National Assembly’, brought together Nigerian youths, pro-democracy activists, and civil society groups demanding lawmakers reconsider the electronic transmission clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Addressing the crowd at the National Assembly entrance, Obi criticised the Senate’s decision, urging lawmakers to allow elections to proceed transparently and without restrictions.
“Allow the election to go through the normal process. Whatever the outcome is, we will accept it. Why introduce confusion after the process?” he said.
Obi argued that the Senate’s rejection undermines public confidence in the electoral process, raising concerns about transparency and credibility ahead of future elections.
Protesters maintained that electronic transmission of results is essential for strengthening trust in Nigeria’s elections and called on the National Assembly to reconsider the clause in the interest of democratic integrity.
The demonstration included members of civil society organisations, women’s groups, and a few members of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A heavy security presence was observed around the National Assembly, with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and NSCDC deployed to maintain order. Security personnel were stationed strategically as protesters chanted slogans and displayed placards calling for the restoration of electronic transmission.
The protest follows the Senate’s recent passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, during which lawmakers rejected the proposal to make electronic transmission mandatory, a decision that has drawn criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures nationwide.
