Abuja, Nigeria – The Senate has assured Nigerians that the controversy surrounding the removal of the phrase “real-time” from provisions on electronic transmission of election results will be addressed in an emergency plenary session today. The assurance comes as hundreds of protesters, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, besieged the National Assembly to demand explicit inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, emphasized that public criticism and peaceful protest are integral to democracy. “The Senate is not averse to Nigerians expressing themselves peacefully. We will do what we have been elected to do for the people,” he said.
The protest, tagged “Occupy the National Assembly,” was organized by the Obidient Movement alongside pro-democracy groups, civil society organizations, and youth movements. Demonstrators carried placards reading “Our votes must count,” “No to electoral robbery,” and “Protect democracy now,” insisting that the amended Electoral Act explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of results to prevent manipulation during collation.
Peter Obi, who joined the protest, described credible elections as the foundation of national stability and warned against a gradual erosion of democratic gains. “We must dismantle this criminality and prove that we are now a nation that shows light in Africa,” he said, urging lawmakers to enact clear provisions for electronic transmission of results.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, reiterated the demand, stating: “If there is no electronic transmission of results, there will be no election. Our elections must be credible.”
Civil society groups, including the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Centre for Media and Society, ElectHER, and Yiaga Africa, also condemned the Senate’s amendments, warning that the divergence between the Senate and House of Representatives could undermine the integrity of the 2027 general elections. They called for mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of results, downloadable voter cards, and retention of existing electoral timelines.
Legal experts, including Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, and human rights advocates, highlighted the urgent need to address gaps in the Electoral Act 2022. They stressed that without explicit legal backing, electronic transmission remains non-binding, perpetuating the risk of disputed elections and undermining public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Security was heightened around the National Assembly complex, with police, army, and NSCDC personnel barricading entrances to prevent protesters from entering the premises. Despite this, demonstrators vowed to maintain pressure until their demands were reflected verbatim in the final bill.
As the Senate prepares to reconvene for the emergency plenary, all eyes are on lawmakers to reconcile positions with the House of Representatives and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 polls.
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