Former Labour Party presidential candidate and leading 2027 hopeful, Peter Obi, on Monday led protesters to the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding the inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.
The protest, which took place at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, drew supporters from civil society groups and Obi’s allies, including prominent activist Aisha Yesufu. Demonstrators called on lawmakers to explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units nationwide.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Obi said the protest was aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and strengthening electoral integrity.
“We are here to protect the future of our democracy,” Obi said. “Clear provisions for real-time electronic transmission of results will help restore public confidence in our electoral process.”
Security was heavily reinforced as officers of the Nigeria Police Force, supported by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and other paramilitary agencies, barricaded the entrance to the National Assembly. Security vans were stationed at strategic points to maintain order as the protesters gathered.
The protest follows the Senate’s recent passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which retained existing provisions on result transmission but removed explicit reference to “real-time” electronic transmission—an action that has sparked criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups.
Protesters insisted that lawmakers must go beyond general language and clearly state that election results should be transmitted electronically and in real time from polling units to prevent manipulation.
The demonstration comes amid heightened national debate over electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, with pressure mounting on the National Assembly to adopt measures widely seen as critical to transparent and credible polls.
