Tension over the Electoral Act 2026 spilled into Abuja on Friday as members of the Arewa Grassroots Leaders Assembly (AGLA) staged a peaceful march in support of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning against attempts to distract the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Protesters marched from the National Assembly complex to INEC headquarters, chanting solidarity slogans and holding placards reading “Chairman, Stay the Course,” “We Support Free, Fair and Peaceful Elections,” and “Defend Democracy.”
Rally Follows Opposition Push for Amendment
The demonstration comes a day after the Senate rejected calls for a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2026. Opposition heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, had demanded an urgent review, arguing the law is skewed and anti-democratic.
The Senate, however, dismissed the agitation and advised critics to pursue redress through legislative channels.
Protesters Praise INEC Leadership and Electoral Reforms
Addressing journalists, AGLA National President Collins Onogu stressed that the rally was a gesture of commendation rather than condemnation.
“We have gathered peacefully to lend our voices not in condemnation—but in commendation. This is a protest of encouragement. Nigeria sees the progress, and we ask that it continues,” he said.
Onogu highlighted the commission’s achievements under the current INEC Chairman since October 2025, including the successful conduct of the Anambra governorship election, FCT Area Council elections, and bye-elections in Kano and Rivers States. These polls were described by domestic and international observers as largely peaceful, transparent, and technologically advanced.
The group also commended INEC’s logistics and inclusivity, noting improvements in material deployment, security coordination, participation of persons with disabilities, youth involvement as ad-hoc staff, and transparent stakeholder engagement.
Technological Innovations Praised
Significant upgrades to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during the FCT Area Council and subsequent bye-elections were highlighted as key achievements. Onogu explained that the system now ensures vote counts cannot exceed accredited voters, strengthens result integrity, and provides near real-time transparency for citizens, observers, and political parties.
“Each upload generates traceable metadata, including device identification and timestamps, supporting post-election audits. These innovations demonstrate measurable progress in Nigeria’s electoral technology evolution,” he said.
Onogu urged the commission to continue investing in digital transparency tools and to establish backup networks for areas with limited connectivity, reinforcing public trust in the electoral process.
“Our presence today is driven by one message – ‘Do not relent.’ Electoral reform is not an event, it is a journey. Nigeria’s democracy is safer when elections are credible,” he added.
Context: Electoral Act 2026 and 2027 Election Timetable
The protest unfolded amid heated debate over the recently signed Electoral Act 2026. Under the new law, political parties may conduct direct primaries, indirect delegate-based primaries, or reach consensus on candidates.
INEC also announced adjustments to the 2027 electoral timetable, setting Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State House of Assembly polls for March 6, 2027. Some Muslim groups criticised the timeline, arguing it clashes with Ramadan.
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