Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the Africa Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, joined protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday as part of the ongoing #OccupyNASS demonstrations against changes to the Electoral Act, warning security forces not to use force against peaceful participants.
The protest, organised by the National Opposition Movement (NOM), seeks to pressure lawmakers to restore the provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill ahead of the 2027 general elections. Protesters carried placards demanding electoral reforms and urging the Senate to respect the will of Nigerians on transparency in the electoral process.
Sowore described the removal of key election transparency provisions as an attempt to weaken Nigeria’s democratic framework and said that transparent electoral systems are essential to ensuring credible outcomes. He also highlighted the importance of defending any system Nigerians believe will protect the integrity of their votes.
Addressing security personnel present at the protest site, Sowore emphasised that their constitutional duty is to safeguard citizens and uphold law and order, not to suppress peaceful demonstrations. He warned that any aggression against protesters could spark unpredictable consequences, urging officers to act professionally.
Sowore’s participation adds to growing public pressure, which has also seen former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other activists joining the protest movement.
Demonstrators remain outside the National Assembly complex, calling on legislators to ensure that any amendment to the Electoral Act explicitly mandates real-time electronic transmission of election results.