ABUJA: Former presidential candidate and prominent 2027 hopeful, Peter Obi, on Monday led a protest to Nigeria’s National Assembly in Abuja, calling for urgent electoral reforms, particularly the adoption of real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Obi, accompanied by civil rights activist Aisha Yesufu and numerous supporters, gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex where demonstrators voiced demands for greater transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Addressing the crowd, Obi emphasised that electronic transmission of results should not be controversial. Simple transmission.
It’s not a difficult thing. Allow the election to go through the normal process. Whoever wins, we will accept. So why introduce confusion? he stated.
The protesters specifically urged lawmakers to approve provisions in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment that would guarantee real-time electronic transmission of results directly from polling units.
Their demonstration attracted considerable attention as participants chanted solidarity slogans and displayed placards advocating credible and transparent elections.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other paramilitary units, deployed personnel and patrol vehicles around the National Assembly to maintain order and prevent any disruption.
The protesters reportedly began their march from the Federal Secretariat before proceeding to the National Assembly gate, where they reiterated their commitment to pushing for explicit inclusion of electronic transmission provisions in the revised Electoral Act.
The demonstration follows reports suggesting the Senate rejected mandatory electronic transmission of election results during deliberations on amendments to the Electoral Act.
However, lawmakers have since issued clarifications denying any attempt to weaken electoral transparency.
Despite these assurances, protest organizers insist the legislation must clearly state “real-time electronic transmission” to eliminate ambiguity.
Labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have also warned of possible nationwide protests or even election boycotts if concerns about electoral transparency are not addressed.
The debate over electronic transmission remains a major political issue ahead of future elections, with stakeholders stressing that credible results management is key to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
