Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi joined hundreds of demonstrators at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Monday to protest the Senate’s recent decision on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The protest, organised by members of the Obidient Movement and other pro-democracy groups, opposed the removal of the phrase “real-time” in the electronic transmission of election results, which they say could weaken safeguards against manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The protest began at the Federal Secretariat and moved towards the National Assembly gates, with demonstrators carrying placards calling for credible elections and the protection of democracy. Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were stationed at the entrance, preventing the crowd from entering the complex.
Obi addressed the crowd at the protest site, stressing the need for credible elections to ensure national stability and development. He urged lawmakers to adopt a law mandating electronic transmission of results to prevent post-election interference. His presence drew attention, with many demonstrators viewing him as a symbol of the youth-led political movement that challenged Nigeria’s political system in 2023.
Leaders of the Obidient Movement said the protest would continue until the National Assembly fully restores real-time electronic transmission of results. They argued that previous elections had suffered manual tampering during result collation, a problem that electronic transmission was intended to prevent.
The demand for electronic transmission of results became a central focus during the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act and subsequent amendments, as civil society groups pushed for reforms that reduce human interference and strengthen public trust in elections. The protest also drew voices recalling the June 12, 1993 election, a widely regarded free and fair election in Nigeria’s history, as a reminder of the importance of transparent electoral processes.
Protesters vowed to return to the National Assembly if lawmakers fail to include provisions for real-time electronic transmission in the law, insisting that credible elections are essential for democracy and public confidence in the electoral process.
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