Obi, Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position

Obi, Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position

Hundreds of protesters on Monday stormed the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, demanding that lawmakers explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results in the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, amid rising concerns over transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The protest, branded “Occupy National Assembly”, was organised by civil society organisations, youth groups, labour activists and opposition supporters who accused the Senate of attempting to weaken electoral safeguards by removing a clause that would have made electronic transmission of results compulsory from polling units.

Demonstrators carried placards calling for credible elections, results transparency, and accountability, insisting that vague legislative wording could reopen the door to election manipulation and undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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Former presidential candidate Peter Obi joined the protest, urging lawmakers to prioritise national interest and democratic integrity. He stressed that clear, mandatory provisions for electronic transmission of results would strengthen trust in elections rather than disrupt them, warning that continued ambiguity could fuel voter apathy and political tension.

Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were heavily deployed around the National Assembly to maintain order as protesters gathered at the main entrance, chanting solidarity songs and demanding immediate legislative action.

The protest follows a controversial decision by the Senate to retain discretionary powers for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over results transmission, rather than mandating real-time electronic upload of polling unit results. Lawmakers defending the decision cited concerns over inconsistent network coverage in some parts of the country.

However, critics argue that such concerns should not override the need for clear legal backing for electronic result transmission, especially after its partial use during the 2023 general elections. They insist that strengthening the law would compel improvements in infrastructure rather than excuse electoral loopholes.

Adding to the pressure, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of possible nationwide protests if the final version of the Electoral Act fails to guarantee electronic transmission and digital collation of results. Labour leaders say anything short of a firm legal mandate would amount to democratic regression.

The controversy has also exposed a rift between the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the lower chamber previously approving amendments that would make electronic transmission of election results mandatory. Both chambers are expected to reconcile their positions during the harmonisation process.

With public pressure mounting, attention is now focused on whether the National Assembly will amend the bill to clearly protect electoral transparency, a move many observers believe could shape voter confidence and political stability ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obi, Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position