Prominent African Democratic Congress (ADC) figure Peter Obi joined protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja, Monday, over the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
Speaking at the protest ground, Obi criticised the Senate’s decision and urged lawmakers to allow the electoral process to run freely without restrictions.
“Allow the election to go through the normal process. Whatever the outcome is, we will accept it. Why introduce confusion after the process?” Obi asked.
The protest, tagged Occupy National Assembly, drew Nigerian youths and pro-democracy activists who gathered to oppose the Senate’s stance on electronic transmission of results.
Protesters demanded that lawmakers reconsider the clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, saying electronic transmission is important for transparency, credibility, and public trust in elections.
Security personnel from the police, army and civil defence corps were deployed to maintain order around the National Assembly, but the protest remained peaceful as at the time of reporting.
