Obi Joins Protesters Over Concerns On Electoral Reform Bill Passage At National Assembly Complex.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday joined protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja over concerns surrounding the INEC Electoral Reform Bill.

Speaking at the protest ground, Obi called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure transparency, particularly in the electronic transmission of election results.

He said, “Allow elections follow the normal process. Whoever wins, we will accept. Simple transmission, allow the elections go through the normal process, whatever comes out of it, we’ll accept. Why’re you causing confusion?”

Obi stressed that Nigerians are not demanding anything extraordinary but a credible and transparent electoral process. He maintained that as long as due process is followed, the outcome of the election should be respected by all.

Their action followed reports that the Senate had rejected a clause seeking to make electronic transmission of results compulsory.

Although the upper chamber has since issued several clarifications denying any complicity in undermining the process, the protesters insisted 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 from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to maintain law and order.