Former presidential candidate and prominent figure ahead of the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, on Monday led a group of protesters to the National Assembly in Abuja to demand electoral reforms, with a strong focus on electronic transmission of election results.
Obi arrived at the entrance of the National Assembly complex alongside supporters and civil rights activists, including Aisha Yesufu, as demonstrators called on lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act to guarantee real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units.
Speaking to protesters at the venue, Obi said the demand was straightforward and necessary for credible elections.
“Simple transmission. It’s not a difficult thing. Allow the election to go through the normal process. Whoever wins, we will accept. So why are you bringing in all sorts of confusion?” he said.
Protesters Demand Real-Time Result Transmission
The protest was organised to pressure lawmakers to approve a key provision in the Electoral Amendment Bill that mandates real-time electronic transmission of election results. Demonstrators said the reform is critical to preventing manipulation and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Protesters chanted and displayed placards calling for transparency, accountability, and credibility in future elections, drawing attention from lawmakers, staff, and passersby within the National Assembly complex.
Heavy Security Presence at National Assembly
Security agencies were deployed around the National Assembly to maintain order during the protest. Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other paramilitary agencies stationed patrol vans at strategic locations, while officers closely monitored the situation.
The protesters had earlier marched from the Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly gate, vowing to sustain pressure on lawmakers until electronic transmission of results is clearly stated in the amended Electoral Act.
Senate Position Sparks Public Outcry
The protest comes amid reports that the Senate had rejected a clause making electronic transmission of election results mandatory in the ongoing amendment process. Although the Senate has issued clarifications and denied any contradiction in its position, protesters insist that lawmakers must explicitly include the phrase “real-time electronic transmission” in the proposed legislation.
Civil society groups argue that vague language could allow room for manipulation during elections.
Labour, Civil Groups Warn of Wider Action
Stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, have warned that failure to address concerns over electronic transmission of results could trigger mass protests or even calls for a boycott of future elections.
Critics describe the Senate’s stance as inconsistent and fear it could undermine the credibility of upcoming elections if left unresolved.
As debates over electoral reforms continue, pressure from political figures, labour unions, and civil society groups is expected to intensify, with electronic transmission of results remaining at the centre of the controversy.
