Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday joined hundreds of youths and civil society activists at the National Assembly, Abuja, to protest the Senate’s handling of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, particularly the decision affecting electronic transmission of election results.
The protesters, who converged under the banner #OccupyNationalAssembly, marched to the National Assembly complex to demand the inclusion of a clear and compulsory provision for real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units. They argued that anything short of this would weaken transparency and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.
Obi, addressing the protesters, criticised lawmakers for what he described as a retrogressive move that contradicts global best practices and the expectations of Nigerian youths. He said the refusal to firmly guarantee electronic transmission of results undermines credibility and fuels suspicion around election outcomes.
According to him, technology remains one of the strongest tools for reducing manipulation and restoring trust in elections, stressing that Nigerians, especially young voters, deserve a system that reflects their votes accurately and transparently.
Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies, were heavily deployed around the National Assembly. Access to the complex was restricted, with protesters prevented from entering the main premises but allowed to demonstrate peacefully at the perimeter.
The protest followed the Senate’s recent decision to either remove or dilute provisions mandating electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Act, a move that has sparked widespread criticism from civil society organisations, opposition figures and labour groups.
Several civil society groups warned that failure to entrench electronic transmission in the final version of the law could trigger broader nationwide protests, insisting that credible elections are central to Nigeria’s democratic stability.
As deliberations on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill continue, pressure is mounting on the National Assembly to reverse course and adopt reforms that many Nigerians believe are essential for free, fair and transparent elections.
Abuja Network News
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