Peter Obi Leads Protests at National Assembly for Electoral Reform

In a bold move on Monday, Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, led hundreds of demonstrators to the National Assembly complex in Abuja. The protest, organized under the National Opposition Movement (NOM), called for mandatory electronic transmission of results and greater transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Clad with placards demanding the protection of the Electoral Act, the crowd urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to resist any attempts to weaken the nation’s voting laws. Some demonstrators even went as far as demanding the Senate President’s resignation, accusing the current legislative leadership of ignoring the public’s desire for electoral integrity.

The atmosphere at the complex was tense, with a massive deployment of the Nigeria Police Force, the Army, and the DSS creating a strict security perimeter. Despite the presence of barricades at the main gate, the protesters remained peaceful, maintaining their ground as they voiced their concerns about the future of Nigerian democracy.

Addressing the gathered supporters, Obi lauded the crowd for their patriotism and emphasized the urgency of their mission. “I want to thank the passionate Nigerians who have come out this morning to be part of this just demand for a free, transparent and fair election process,” Obi said, reinforcing that the movement is about national pride.

The former governor noted that the group chose to respect the directives of the security forces to avoid a breakdown of law and order. “The police have advised us that we cannot go beyond this gate, and as law-abiding citizens, we accept that,” he stated. “However, we are here to peacefully address our concerns about this country and its elections.”

Obi’s primary demands focused on verifying the credentials of candidates and ensuring that technology is used to safeguard the will of the voters. “Election results must be transmitted electronically from the polling booth directly. Let people watch it,” Obi said. “The giant of Africa has refused to be giant. We cannot continue to shame Africa.”

The protest marks a significant escalation in the pressure on the National Assembly to pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026. Obi concluded with a call for the nation to reclaim its status on the continent: “We want the giant of Africa to be the true giant of Africa.”