On February 9, 2026, Peter Obi led a protest at the National Assembly (NASS) in Abuja to demand the mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The demonstration, branded “Occupy the National Assembly,” followed the Senate’s passage of an Electoral Act Amendment Bill that allegedly removed the phrase “real-time” from clauses related to result transmission.
Key Details of the Protest:
- Participants: Peter Obi, now a prominent figure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was joined by hundreds of supporters from the Obidient Movement, civil society organizations (CSOs), and activists like Aisha Yesufu.
- Demands: Protesters insisted that electronic transmission is vital for transparency and to prevent the “glitches” reported during the 2023 elections.
- Security Presence: Large numbers of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the NSCDC barricaded the entrance to the complex, forcing the demonstration to remain outside the gates.
- Obi’s Statement: Addressing journalists, Obi urged lawmakers to allow a transparent process, stating, “Allow the election to go through the normal process… Why introduce confusion after the process?”.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other groups have expressed support for the mandatory inclusion of real-time transmission to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
