E-Transmission Row: Peter Obi Storms N’Assembly Protest, Demands Mandatory Real-Time Results Upload

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Monday joined scores of protesters at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, demanding that lawmakers retain mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the proposed Electoral Act amendment.

The protest, tagged Occupy National Assembly, followed the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026 at third reading, where the phrase “real-time” transmission of results was removed from the draft legislation.

Despite clarifications from the Senate that electronic transmission was not entirely discarded, demonstrators insisted that the law must clearly spell out “real-time electronic transmission” to prevent ambiguity and manipulation.

Obi, now a member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, addressed protesters at the National Assembly gate, warning that Nigeria must not repeat the technical setbacks that trailed the 2023 general elections.

According to him, the Senate has a responsibility to block loopholes that could lead to a repeat of the glitches earlier reported by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, stressing that real-time transmission of results should be made compulsory.

The protest train, made up of civil society organisations, ADC supporters, and women’s groups, marched from the Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly entrance under tight security.

Security operatives drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were deployed around the complex, with barricades mounted at the main gate.

Some protest leaders said the rally was designed to remain peaceful and would be held strictly at the entrance, noting that there were no plans to breach the National Assembly premises.