UPDATED: Peter Obi Joins Protest At NASS Over Real-time Electronic Transmission Of Poll Results

Former Anambra State governor and chieftain of the African DemocraticCongress (ADC), Peter Obi, on Monday morning, joined protesters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, demanding the inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of Nigeria’s Electoral Act.

The protesters had earlier stormed the entrance gate of the National Assembly to express dissatisfaction with the Senate’s position on the electronic transmission of election results, following reports that the upper chamber rejected a clause seeking to make the process compulsory in real-time.

A video circulating on social media showed Obi marching alongside other protesters, with activist Aisha Yesufu walking close to him, as demonstrators chanted, “Our vote must count.”

Although the Senate has issued several clarifications denying any complicity and insisting it did not oppose electronic transmission, the protesters maintained that lawmakers must be explicit by including the phrase “real-time electronic transmission” in the proposed legislation.

A heavy security presence was observed at the protest venue, with personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to maintain law and order.