Protests rock National Assembly as Senate holds emergency session on Electoral Act amendments

The Senate on Tuesday convened an emergency plenary session to reconsider the controversial amendments to the Electoral Act, following intense public backlash over the rejection of a clause mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The extraordinary sitting, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is taking place amid heightened security and sustained protests at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Demonstrators gathered within and around the complex, expressing outrage over what they describe as a deliberate move by lawmakers to weaken the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The emergency session comes less than one week after the Senate passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, a development that has triggered widespread condemnation from civil society organisations, opposition political parties, labour unions, professional associations, regional leaders and youth groups.

These stakeholders argue that the removal of compulsory electronic transmission of results undermines electoral integrity and reverses gains made in recent elections.

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On Monday, hundreds of Nigerian youths converged on Abuja under the banner of the “Occupy National Assembly” protest, demanding the reinstatement of the e-transmission provision.

The protest was led by the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who accused lawmakers of acting against the will of the people and jeopardising public trust in the democratic process.

The protests continued on Tuesday, gaining further momentum with the presence of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who joined demonstrators at the National Assembly.

Protesters carried placards with inscriptions calling for transparency, accountability and electoral reforms, while chanting slogans urging senators to reverse the contentious amendment.

As pressure mounts, observers say the outcome of the emergency plenary could prove decisive in shaping public confidence ahead of future elections.

The Senate leadership has yet to formally disclose whether the session will lead to a reconsideration or amendment of the disputed clause, but developments from the sitting are being closely watched across the country.