Peter Obi, Supporters Protest Senate’s Block on Real-Time Election Results

Peter Obi, Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, on Monday led a group of protesters to the National Assembly complex in Abuja to oppose the Senate’s rejection of real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The protesters included students, civil society organisations, members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and supporters of the Obidient Movement. They marched through the complex, chanting solidarity songs and calling on lawmakers to reverse the decision.

Obi told the crowd that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends on transparent processes, saying citizens should be allowed to trust the system regardless of who emerges victorious. He said elections should follow clear rules and questioned why lawmakers were introducing uncertainty into a process that should inspire public confidence.

Security personnel monitored the protest, but there were no reports of disruption or arrests.

Why the protest happened

The demonstration follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill on February 4 after hours of clause-by-clause deliberation. One of the changes shortened the period for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.

However, the upper chamber rejected a proposal that would have made real-time electronic transmission of results compulsory. Instead, lawmakers retained a provision from the 2022 Electoral Act allowing INEC to determine how results are transmitted.

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The rejected clause would have required presiding officers to transmit results directly from polling units to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after forms are completed and endorsed by polling agents.

Senate moves to revisit decision

The senate’s decision triggered widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing lawmakers of weakening electoral transparency.

Following the public outcry, the Senate scheduled an emergency plenary session for Tuesday, February 10, to review the amendment. Emmanuel Odo, clerk of the Senate, said the sitting was convened on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

It remains unclear whether lawmakers will reverse the clause or retain the existing provision in the final version of the bill.