Former Minister And Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, spoke at the protest grounds of the National Assembly, where demonstrators have gathered for a second consecutive day to oppose the Nigerian Senate’s decision.
Amaechi urged Nigerians to reject the Senate’s removal of the real-time election results upload clause.
Speaking at the protest grounds of the National Assembly, where demonstrators have gathered for a second consecutive day to oppose the Nigerian Senate’s decision.
The former minister explained that his presence at the protest, along with his first son Chikamkpa Amaech—a medical doctor—underscored the importance of the matter.
“Many Nigerians say we politicians we love to say they should protest then we hide our own children at home. That is why I brought my own son who is a medical doctor, so he can join the protest.”
“His job as a doctor is to treat those who are injured here today
He further emphasised the need to mobilise more Nigerians to the National Assembly complex.
“There is an urgent need to mobilise more Nigerians here, so that we can kick against this move.”
Amaechi joined the protest against the removal of the real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The former governor had a tense encounter with the Nigerian Police as tensions escalated over the decision by the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that public anger over the Electoral Act amendments peaked on Monday when former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi led hundreds of protesters to the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
According to SaharaReporters, the protest was organized under the banner of the National Opposition Movement (NOM), with demonstrators demanding transparent and mandatory electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Protesters carried placards calling for electoral reforms and urging Senate President Akpabio to refrain from actions perceived as manipulating or undermining the Electoral Act. Some went further, openly calling for his resignation and accusing the National Assembly leadership of ignoring sustained public demands for electoral transparency.
The demonstration prompted a heavy security deployment at the National Assembly, with operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other agencies barricading the main gate to maintain law and order.
Addressing the crowd at the National Assembly entrance, Obi thanked Nigerians for turning out in large numbers, describing the protest as a lawful and patriotic call for reform.
Obi also renewed calls for compulsory electronic transmission of results directly from polling units, arguing that it would curb manipulation and allow citizens to monitor elections in real time.
“Election results must be transmitted electronically from the polling booth directly. Let people watch it,” Obi said. “This is what is done in South Africa, Ghana, and other countries. The giant of Africa has refused to be giant. We cannot continue to shame Africa.”
He added, “We want the giant of Africa to be the true giant of Africa.”
