Obi leads protest at National Assembly over real-time election results
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has led protests to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja after the Senate’s controversial handling of the real-time electronic transmission of election results clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill sparked widespread public outcry. The action reflects growing tensions over electoral reform and concerns about transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On Monday, February 9, 2026, Obi joined hundreds of demonstrators, including members of the Obidient Movement, student and civil society groups, and some African Democratic Congress (ADC) supporters, in a protest branded “Occupy National Assembly.” The protesters marched toward the gates of the National Assembly Complex to demand that lawmakers explicitly include “real-time electronic transmission of election results” in the amended legislation, arguing that it is essential for credible and transparent elections.
The protest was triggered after the Senate approved the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, but removed the term “real-time” from provisions governing electronic transmission of results. Critics say this weakens legal safeguards against manipulation during result collation by not mandating instantaneous, direct transmission of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) systems.
Addressing the crowd, Obi warned against repeating past electoral failures, emphasising that clear provisions on transmission are crucial for public confidence. He insisted that a transparent process would help ensure that “our votes must count” and urged the legislature to reconsider its position on the clause. Security was tightened around the National Assembly, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to maintain order as the demonstrations continued.
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