Prominent presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, participated in protests at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Monday, as part of the #OccupyNationalAssembly movement.
This protest comes in response to the Senate’s approval of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026, where lawmakers eliminated the term “real-time” from the transmission of election results during the bill’s third reading.
While the Senate has provided multiple clarifications claiming that it did not reject the electronic transmission of election results, the protesters are adamant that the new legislation must clearly require real-time electronic transmission.
Addressing the crowd at the protest, Obi emphasised that the Senate needs to take decisive action to avoid a repeat of the technical issues reported by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.
He advocated for the legal requirement of real-time electronic transmission of results.
News: Tinubu Meets Wike, Fubara, Rivers Leaders in Aso Villa
In addition to Obi, various civil society representatives, opposition ADC supporters, and women’s groups participated in the protest.
The demonstrators started their procession from the Federal Secretariat and made their way towards the entrance of the National Assembly.
A significant security presence was evident, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on site. The police secured the entrance to the National Assembly.
Civil society organisations are also present at the complex, calling for a review of the Electoral Act in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The protesters intend to remain outside and have clarified that their demonstration will be conducted solely at the designated area.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio asserted that e-transmission is already incorporated in the 2022 Electoral Act, yet numerous stakeholders have advocated for a revision to facilitate immediate uploads, allowing all to view results right after the ballots are counted.
