Ifejika joyce
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday, Feb. 9, joined hundreds of protesters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to protest the Senate’s decision to remove “real-time” electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The protest, which is taking place at the moment, is tagged “Occupy the National Assembly”. It was organised by pro-democracy activists.
Student, civil society groups, and some members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Obidient Movement — a group of Obi’s supporters — were present at the protest.
Last week, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, through third reading.
The amended bill shows a deletion of the phrase “real-time” in provisions dealing with the electronic transmission of election results, a move critics say weakens safeguards against manipulation.
Protesters described the lawmakers’ action as a deliberate attempt to undermine electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senate has since issued clarifications, insisting it did not reject electronic transmission outright. However, protesters argue that the absence of the words “real-time electronic transmission” creates room for abuse and post-poll interference.
“We reject the Senate rejections,” placards held by the protesters read.
Obi spoke at the protest on Monday, urging lawmakers to allow the elections proceed in the right way.
“It is not a difficult thing. Allow the elections to go through the normal process. Whoever wins, we would accept,” Obi said to lawmakers as the demonstrators chanted solidarity slogans and songs.
See video below.
Precious Chukwuwa
