By Chimdiogo Amuh 

Abuja — Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, on Monday joined protesters at the National Assembly complex in Abuja under the banner of the “Occupy National Assembly” movement, demanding the reinstatement of real-time electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria’s electoral law.

The protest follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which removed the phrase “real-time” from provisions relating to electronic transmission of results. Despite clarifications from the Senate that it did not entirely reject electronic transmission, protesters insist that the law must explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission to guarantee electoral transparency.

Obi, who is now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said lawmakers must address the shortcomings witnessed during the 2023 general elections, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cited technical glitches in the result transmission process. According to him, making real-time electronic transmission compulsory would help prevent a recurrence of such issues and strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.

The protest attracted members of civil society organisations, women’s groups, and opposition party supporters, including ADC members. The demonstrators began their march from the Federal Secretariat and proceeded to the National Assembly gate.

Security was tightened around the area, with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to maintain order. Access to the National Assembly was barricaded by the police.

However, some civil society representatives told journalists that the protest was designed to remain peaceful and would be held at the entrance of the National Assembly, with no intention of forcing entry into the premises.

The protesters maintain that only a clear provision for real-time electronic transmission of results can safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process and ensure credible elections.