The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Monday led a protest to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja following the senate’s decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The protest attracted students, civil society organisations, members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and supporters of Obi under the Obidient Movement.
Addressing the demonstrators amid chants and solidarity songs, Obi called for a transparent electoral process, saying the will of the people should be respected.
“Allow the elections to go through the normal process. Whoever wins, we will accept,” he said. “So why are you bringing this confusion?”
Background
On February 4, the Senate passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill after a five-hour clause-by-clause consideration.
One of the changes reduced the period within which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must issue a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.
The upper chamber also rejected a provision mandating real-time electronic transmission of results, opting instead to retain the existing framework for electronic transfer as contained in the Electoral Act 2022.
The decision triggered widespread criticism on social media, with attention focused on clause 60(3) of the amendment bill.
The clause proposed that presiding officers “shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time” after Form EC8A has been signed and stamped. Form EC8A is the document used to record votes at polling units.
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The amendment sought to make electronic transmission compulsory, ensure it is conducted in real time, and directly link it to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, thereby removing discretion from the process.
However, the Senate rejected the proposal and instead adopted section 60(5) of the Electoral Act 2022, which states that presiding officers shall transfer results “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”
Amid the backlash, the Senate scheduled an emergency plenary session for Tuesday, February 10. In a notice announcing the sitting, Emmanuel Odo, clerk of the senate, said it was convened on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also threatened to embark on mass action in response to the development.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
