Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday took his opposition to the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results to the National Assembly, leading a protest he described as a defence of Nigeria’s democracy.
The protest, tagged “Occupy NASS,” attracted activists and civil society organisations who faulted the Senate’s decision, warning that it could undermine electoral credibility.
Obi argued that the failure to adopt electronic transmission has historically fuelled post-election disputes, citing the 2023 general election as a clear example.
According to him, rejecting the technology represents a major setback for democratic reforms, as electronic transmission is widely seen as a safeguard against manipulation and delays in result collation.
The Senate, however, defended its position by raising concerns over possible technical glitches that could affect the process.
Obi dismissed the argument, noting that several African countries have successfully deployed electronic transmission systems without jeopardising the integrity of their elections.
Adding to the pressure on lawmakers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on nationwide protests if the issue is not revisited, signalling escalating public resistance and renewed calls for the Senate to reverse its decision.
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