ABUJA — Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, on Monday joined Nigerian youths and civil society groups in a protest at the National Assembly, opposing the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The protest, tagged “Occupy National Assembly,” drew pro-democracy activists, youth organisations, women’s groups and members of opposition parties, who converged early at the entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja to demand a reversal of the controversial clause.
Addressing demonstrators, Obi criticised the Senate’s decision, warning that it could undermine transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. He urged lawmakers to allow the electoral process to proceed 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?” Obi asked.
He argued that rejecting electronic transmission of results raises credibility concerns ahead of future elections and weakens efforts to strengthen democratic accountability.
Protesters echoed the call, insisting that electronic transmission of results is critical to free, fair and credible elections, and urged the National Assembly to reconsider the provision in the interest of democratic integrity.
The demonstration took place under heavy security, with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed around the National Assembly to maintain order. Security personnel were stationed at strategic points as protesters chanted slogans and displayed placards in support of electoral reforms.
The protest follows the Senate’s recent passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, during which lawmakers rejected a proposal to make electronic transmission of results mandatory—a decision that has continued to draw criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures nationwide.
