Peter Obi — former presidential candidate of the Labour Party — led a crowd of protesters to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Monday. The demonstration is in reaction to the Nigerian Senate’s recent rejection of a proposed amendment that would require real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units across the country.
The protest includes civil society groups, student organisations and political supporters, including members of the Obidient Movement and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Activists say they want greater transparency and credibility in elections ahead of the 2027 general polls by making electronic result transmission mandatory, not optional.
The Senate recently passed an Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill but removed or refused to include a clause that would make real-time transmission mandatory — a move critics say could weaken electoral transparency.
Protesters argue that this decision could lead to confusion or controversy during future elections by leaving room for the manipulation of results.
The National Assembly has called an emergency plenary session to revisit the issue amid mounting public criticism.
Lawmakers are under pressure to clarify and possibly rework the Electoral Act amendments.
Civil society and labour groups have threatened further protests if changes aren’t made.
