Labour Party Presidential candidate in 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, and other civil society organizations, on Monday, occupied the National Assembly over the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results.
The Senate had on Wednesday last week, during its clause-by-clause consideration of the 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025, voted against the recommendation of its Ad-hoc Committee on Electoral Matters, seeking to amend Section 60(3) of the 2022 Electoral Act, in order to make electronic transmission of election results in real-time mandatory.
However, the Obedients Movement, led by Peter Obi and other protesters converged in fulfillment of their earlier threat to carry out “Occupy National Assembly Protest” against the action of the Senate, which has attracted vehement condemnation from most Nigerians.
The protesters, gathered in their numbers, notwithstanding the heavy security presence at the main gate and other gates leading to and out of the country’s apex legislative complex.
The security personnel manning both the entrance and exit gates of the legislative institution, were drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The protesters who were dominantly activists and civil society groups called on lawmakers, particularly the Senators to reconsider and recant their widely views unpopular decision in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.
In his speech during the protest, Obi described the Senate’s action as a “grave setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress,” warning that it could undermine public confidence in future elections, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The refusal to make electronic transmission of results compulsory is a serious threat to the credibility of our electoral process. We have seen in previous elections, including the 2023 general election, how the absence of transparent result transmission led to controversies and disputes,” Obi argued.
The Senate had on Wednesday last week, rejected the proposal, citing concerns over possible technical glitches and infrastructure challenges.
However, Obi dismissed the explanation, insisting that such concerns were no longer tenable, pointing out that several African countries had successfully adopted electronic transmission of election results.
“Several African countries have successfully adopted electronic transmission of election results. If they can do it, Nigeria can also do it. Technology should be used to strengthen, not weaken, our democracy,” he maintained.
The protest has continued to gain momentum, with various civil society organisations lending their voices to the call for electoral reforms that guarantee transparency and accountability in future elections, especially with the 2027 general elections very close.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to mobilise nationwide protests and consider election boycotts if the Senate fails to address the issue.
