*Heed Public Demand On Electoral Transparency, Don’t Manipulate, Undermine Electoral Act, Protesters Warn Akpabio
*’Election Results Must Be Transmitted Electronically From Polling Booth Directly. Let People Watch It. This Is What Is Done In South Africa, Ghana, Other Countries. Giant of Africa Has Refused To Be Giant’
A mammoth crowd of protesters today stormed the National Assembly complex to give vent to their indignation over the legislature’s bid to dump electronic transmission of election results ahead next year’s general polls.
The crowd was led by prominent opposition leader and 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi.
There were also respected activist and #BringBackOurGirls spearhead Aisha Yesufu and several others.
In unison, they demanded a transparent and mandatory electronic transmission of election results for the 2027 general elections.
The protest, organised under the banner of the National Opposition Movement (NOM), saw demonstrators carrying placards calling for electoral reforms.
They urged Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from any action perceived as manipulating or undermining the Electoral Act.
Some protesters also called for his resignation, accusing the leadership of the National Assembly of failing to heed public demands on electoral transparency.
Addressing the crowd at the entrance of the National Assembly, Obi thanked Nigerians for turning out in large numbers, describing the protest as a legitimate and patriotic call for reform.
He said: “I want to thank the passionate Nigerians who have come out this morning to be part of this just demand for a free, transparent and fair election process.
“We must have a better Nigeria where all of us can be proud to say we are Nigerians.”
He disclosed that security operatives had advised the protesters not to proceed beyond the National Assembly gate, a directive he said was respected in the interest of peace and lawfulness.
“The police have advised us that we cannot go beyond this gate, and as law-abiding citizens, we accept that,” he stated, adding “however, we are here to peacefully address our concerns about this country and its elections.”
Obi explained that the demands of the protest were clear and straightforward, stressing the need for transparency throughout the entire electoral process, beginning from the qualification of candidates seeking public office.
“Our demand for the amendment is simple. We must know the qualifications of those who want to contest elections, and these qualifications must be advertised.
“If anyone claims to have attended a primary school, secondary school, or university, Nigerians should be able to verify that information before such a person proceeds through party primaries.”
He further called for the compulsory electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units, arguing that this would allow citizens to monitor the process in real time and reduce manipulation.
“Election results must be transmitted electronically from the polling booth directly. Let people watch it. This is what is done in South Africa, Ghana, and other countries.
“The giant of Africa has refused to be giant. We cannot continue to shame Africa.”
He called on Nigeria to live up to its continental billing, saying, “We want the giant of Africa to be the true giant of Africa.”
The protest comes amid growing pressure from civil society organisations (CSOs) and political stakeholders for electoral reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and restoring public confidence in the country’s electoral system ahead of future elections.
There was marked security beef-up at the National Assembly, with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other agencies deployed to barricade the main gate of the complex to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Obi (in glasses) leading the protesters, including popular activist Aisha Yesufu (to Obi’s left).
