A former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, this morning February 10, 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.

The protest followed mounting controversy over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly over whether the Independent National Electoral Commission should be compelled to transmit results electronically and in real time from polling units.

Videos shared online showed Amaechi standing alongside the protesters who are drawn from different civil society organisations, youth groups and other concerned citizens.

The protest comes 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.

Speaking to newsmen, Amaechi alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is opposed to electronic transmission of election results because it fears losing elections.

“I believe that the opposition parties should come out—PDP, ADC, everybody should be out—to protest against the attempt of one party,” Amaechi said.

If we come out, and they say the opposition has hijacked (the protest), what is APC doing? Are they not hijacking? What are they afraid of? I thought they said they have 31 governors. Tinubu is not Jonathan. The only way a good politician will know he has done well is by the people.” he said

Comparing life under this administration and that of late Buhari's administration which he served under, Amaechi said

‘’Is life easier now than when I was in the APC? Life is worse now than during the former President Buhari regime.”

Electronic transmission of results: Rotimi Amaechi joins protest

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