Former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday joined protesters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to demand the mandatory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
The protest followed mounting controversy over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, particularly over whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be compelled to transmit results electronically and in real time from polling units.
In a video circulating on social media and shared by X user #ImranMuhammed, Amaechi was seen standing alongside demonstrators as they pressed for lawmakers to accede to their demands. The protesters, drawn from civil society organisations, youth groups and other concerned citizens, insisted that the proposed legislation must clearly retain the phrase “real-time electronic transmission” to eliminate any ambiguity that could weaken electoral transparency and integrity.
The demonstration also attracted attention online after some protesters were seen carrying mattresses and pillows to the National Assembly complex, a gesture widely interpreted as a symbolic message that they were prepared to remain at the venue until their demands were addressed.
The protest came a day after a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, joined similar demonstrations at the National Assembly, adding his voice to calls for a more credible and transparent electoral process.
While many Nigerians and civil society actors continue to urge the National Assembly to make real-time electronic transmission of results compulsory, some lawmakers have maintained that the provision should remain discretionary, citing logistical challenges and infrastructural limitations across parts of the country.
The Senate has, however, repeatedly denied claims that it rejected electronic transmission of election results in the amendment process, issuing several clarifications to counter what it described as misinformation about its position.
The renewed protest reflects growing public pressure on the legislature to amend the bill in a manner that guarantees transparent collation and transmission of results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also weighing in, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai said he would have participated in the protest led by Peter Obi at the National Assembly if he had been in Nigeria.
El-Rufai made the remark during an interview on Trust TV on Monday while speaking from Egypt, where he criticised the Senate’s decision to alter provisions on electronic transmission of election results in the proposed amendments.
“It’s unfortunate I have not been able to return to Nigeria. I would have joined Mr Peter Obi and other party leaders in protesting to the National Assembly to restore the real-time and mandatory transmission of results from the polling unit,” he said.
According to the former governor, real-time electronic transmission of results is critical to reducing electoral manipulation and improving public confidence in elections. He argued that the reluctance and delay surrounding the reform were politically driven.
“Adopting real-time electronic transmission will drastically reduce rigging and improve the credibility of our elections,” he said, accusing the ruling party of resisting the measure for what he described as survival reasons.
El-Rufai also noted that the House of Representatives appeared to be more receptive to the reform, while the Senate was yet to fully embrace it.
The comments followed a protest led by Obi on Monday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja against the Senate’s decision to remove the words “real-time” from provisions on electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The demonstration, tagged Occupy the National Assembly, was organised by Nigerian youths and pro-democracy groups, who said the lawmakers’ action was aimed at weakening electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Last week, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, through third reading. The removal of “real-time” from the relevant sections has since generated controversy, with critics warning that the change could open loopholes for post-election manipulation.
Although the Senate later maintained that it did not abolish electronic transmission of results, protesters insisted that the deletion of “real-time electronic transmission” undermines the integrity of the reform.
LAWBREED — Equipping You For Greater Success!
_______________________________________________________________________
“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.”
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
