Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi on Monday, February 9, joined hundreds of protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja to demand urgent electoral reforms, particularly the restoration of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment to the Electoral Act.
The peaceful demonstration, held under the banner "Occupy the National Assembly," was organized by pro-democracy activists, civil society groups, the Obidient Movement, and other youth-led organizations.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as "Make Electronic Transmission Mandatory," "Defend Democracy," and "No More Glitches," expressing outrage over the Senate's recent passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, which reportedly removed or weakened the "real-time" electronic transmission clause.
In a statement reflecting on his participation, Obi emphasized that the demands were clear and non-negotiable: public office aspirants must emerge through transparent processes, provide verifiable educational records, meet constitutional requirements, and engage in open campaigns, public scrutiny, and debates.
Most critically, he insisted that election results must be transmitted electronically in real time from polling units to prevent manipulation and safeguard the people's mandate.
Obi rejected excuses about network coverage issues, pointing out that financial institutions operate secure digital networks nationwide for daily transactions and tax collection.
"If banking systems function seamlessly, our electoral system can and should do the same," he said.
He described Nigeria's current electoral practices as a disgrace to the continent's "Giant of Africa" status and called for the country to become a beacon of exemplary governance through credible elections.
Obi urged the younger generation, who turned out in large numbers for the protest, to remain steadfast and not relent until the reforms are achieved.
The protest aligns with broader criticism from opposition parties, civil society, and groups like the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, who argue that diluting electronic transmission safeguards could enable manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi reaffirmed his commitment to a "New Nigeria" built on order, justice, and trust, stating that such a nation is not only possible but inevitable if citizens stand and act together.
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