Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, joined other Nigerians as protest against the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results continued at the National Assembly, Abuja.
The protest started on Monday, with the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, alongside other civil society organizations participating in the demonstration that barricaded the main gate of the National Assembly complex.
Amaechi, who attended the protest with his son—a medical doctor—said that he brought him along in case the demonstration turned violent and injuries were sustained by the protesters.
The former Minister of Transportation, also explained that he came with his son to demonstrate his belief that during major protests, leaders should be at the forefront with their families, and not just leave agitations for people at the lower rung of the society to face the hurdles.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), had called on Nigerians to rise up and resist what it described as an attempt by the National Assembly to truncate democracy via anti democratic laws and practices, adding that all opposition parties ought to be on the streets to protest the Senate’s decision.
Amaechi alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was opposed to electronic transmission of election results because it fears losing elections.
“I believe that the opposition parties should come out—PDP, ADC, everybody should be out—to protest against the attempt of one party,” Amaechi said.
“If we come out, and they say the opposition has hijacked (the protest), what is APC doing? Are they not hijacking? What are they afraid of? I thought they said they have 31 governors. Tinubu is not Jonathan. The only way a good politician will know he has done well is by the people.”
He wondered why the party would be afraid of facing elections under transparent and credible electoral process, despite having several opposition governors and prominent politicians defecting to its ranks.
Moreover, he stated that while the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and President Bola Tinubu might ignore the demands of Nigerians, opposition parties and civil society organisations would persist until the decision was reversed.
During today’s protest, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force barricaded major roads leading to the National Assembly, where the Senate is holding emergency plenary session.
The protest was being led by human rights activist Aisha Yusuf, alongside several civil society groups that initiated the demonstration on Monday.
