Abuja Erupts As Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu Lead Mass Protest Against Electoral Amendment

Obi arrived at the parliamentary complex alongside his supporters, including rights activist Aisha Yesufu, as the group converged at the entrance to press their demands.

Addressing the crowd, Obi called for clarity and simplicity in the electoral process, saying, “Transmission is straightforward. It’s not complicated. Let elections follow the normal process. Whoever wins, we will accept. So why introduce confusion?”

The protesters assembled at the National Assembly to push for the approval of real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units, a major provision in the ongoing Electoral Amendment Bill.

Their demonstration drew public attention as they chanted slogans and showed solidarity in support of transparent and credible elections.

Security agencies were deployed to ensure order around the complex. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other paramilitary bodies positioned patrol vehicles at key locations while monitoring the protest to prevent any breach of peace.

The protesters had earlier marched from the Federal Secretariat toward the National Assembly, vowing to continue pressing for the inclusion of mandatory electronic transmission of results in the amended Electoral Act.

The protest comes amid reports that the Senate rejected the clause mandating electronic transmission of results. Although the Senate has issued clarifications denying any wrongdoing or inconsistency, the protesters insist lawmakers must clearly include the phrase “real-time electronic transmission” in the legislation.

Stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have also warned of possible nationwide protests or election boycotts over what they describe as the Senate’s conflicting position on the amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly concerning electronic transmission of results.