Obi Leads Protesters to National Assembly Over Real-Time Election Results

Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi today led a large group of protesters to the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The demonstration comes amid growing public concern over the Senate’s recent amendments to the Electoral Act Bill 2026, which removed provisions for real-time result transmission. Obi, joined by civil society activists including Aisha Yesufu, student groups, and members of the Obidient Movement, rallied at the main entrance of the National Assembly chanting for transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process. Protesters carried banners under the campaign “Occupy National Assembly,” signaling their intent to maintain pressure on lawmakers until the clause is reinstated. The protest attracted broad participation from Nigerian youths, women’s groups, and other political activists. Security forces, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed to manage the crowd and ensure order. The protest stems from the Senate’s decision to exclude mandatory real-time electronic transmission from its version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026. Senate leaders argued that strict real-time requirements could lead to legal disputes if technological failures occur, insisting that INEC can handle result transmission effectively under current provisions. Critics, however, argue that the omission undermines public confidence in the electoral process and could fuel suspicion of election manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has joined calls for transparency, warning of nationwide protests or election boycotts if lawmakers fail to restore the clause.