By Amaju Jolomi
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, joined hundreds of pro-democracy activists at the National Assembly in Abuja to protest the Senate’s removal of the phrase “real-time” from electronic transmission provisions in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.
The demonstration, tagged “Occupy the National Assembly,” was organized by the Obidient Movement Worldwide and other civil society groups, who described the Senate’s action as a setback to electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 elections.
Protesters marched from the Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly carrying placards reading “Our Votes Must Count” and “Protect Democracy Now,” but were stopped from entering the complex by heavy security deployments from the Police, Army, and Civil Defence Corps.
Addressing journalists, Mr. Obi condemned what he called the erosion of democratic gains in Nigeria, emphasizing that credible elections are fundamental to national stability and development.
He warned that the absence of mandatory real-time transmission of results opens the door to post-election manipulation.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, noted that while innovations such as card readers in 2015 and the BVAS system in 2022 improved transparency, full real-time electronic transmission remains essential for public confidence in elections.
The protest underscored public concern over electoral integrity, with participants vowing to continue demonstrations until the Senate restores the real-time clause to the law.
Observers say Mr. Obi’s presence significantly boosted the protest, reinforcing his position as a leading voice for youth-driven political accountability and reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The agitation highlights growing civil society pressure on lawmakers to ensure transparency, strengthen voter trust, and safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral processes.
