Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday, Feb. 9, joined hundreds of protesters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to protest the Senate’s decision to remove “real-time” electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The protest, which is taking place at the moment, is tagged
“Occupy the National Assembly”. It was organised by pro-democracy
activists.
Student, civil society groups, and some members of the
African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Obidient Movement — a group of Obi’s
supporters — were present at the protest.
Last week, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and
Reenactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, through third reading.
The amended bill shows a deletion of the phrase “real-time”
in provisions dealing with the electronic transmission of election results, a
move critics say weakens safeguards against manipulation.
Protesters described the lawmakers’ action as a deliberate
attempt to undermine electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general
elections.
The Senate has since issued clarifications, insisting it did
not reject electronic transmission outright. However, protesters argue that the
absence of the words “real-time electronic transmission” creates room for abuse
and post-poll interference.
"We reject the Senate rejections," placards held
by the protesters read.
Obi spoke at the protest on Monday, urging lawmakers to
allow the elections proceed in the right way.
“It is not a difficult thing. Allow the elections to go
through the normal process. Whoever wins, we would accept,” Obi said to
lawmakers as the demonstrators chanted solidarity slogans and songs.
See video below.
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