February 17, (THEWILL) — There was public outcry on Tuesday after the Nigeria Police Force dispersed demonstrators who gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja to protest proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework, using tear gas to break up the assembly.
Among those present at the protest were the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, who joined other civil society actors demanding reforms aimed at strengthening electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sowore condemned the police action, describing it as an attack on democratic rights and peaceful civic engagement. He alleged that some protesters collapsed after inhaling tear gas and accused security operatives of deploying excessive force against unarmed demonstrators.
“This has translated now to a total declaration of war on Nigerians. This is a coup against democracy… Over two people have collapsed in this place now. This is not going to be accepted. We are calling on Nigerians to head down to the National Assembly”, Sowore said.
The protesters called for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, restoration of the 360-day statutory timeline for the issuance of election notices, and stricter penalties for vote buying. They insisted the measures were crucial to improving transparency, enhancing preparedness by electoral stakeholders, and rebuilding public trust in the electoral process.
Despite the dispersal, organisers of the protest said the agitation for electoral reforms would continue, urging lawmakers in the Conference Committee of the National Assembly to prioritise the public interest and safeguard the credibility of future elections.
Meanwhile, civil society organisation YIAGA Africa disclosed that information available to it suggested that the National Assembly had adopted the Senate’s position on Clause 60(3) relating to electronic transmission of results, contrary to public expectations and the earlier stance of the House of Representatives.
The group further revealed that both chambers of the legislature had agreed to shorten the statutory timeline for issuing the election timetable from 360 days to 300 days, warning that the decision could negatively affect transparency, preparedness and the credibility of the 2027 electoral process.
“These decisions carry significant implications for transparency, preparation, and the overall credibility of the 2027 electoral process”, YIAGA Africa said.
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