Peter Obi amongst other protesters at the National Assembly on Monday
Hundreds of protesters on Tuesday converged on the main entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja under the banner #OCCUPYNASS, voicing strong opposition to alleged alterations in key provisions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the implementation of the newly introduced tax law.
The demonstrators, who sang solidarity songs and chanted protest slogans, accused lawmakers of undermining Nigeria’s democratic process through what they described as last-minute tinkering with electoral reforms. They also expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the new tax regime, which they say could worsen the economic burden on citizens.
Among those sighted at the protest ground was the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, whose presence drew cheers from protesters. Also in attendance were notable human rights activists, including Aisha Yesufu, convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, alongside several civil society advocates.
Security operatives barricaded the entrance to the National Assembly complex, preventing the protesters from gaining access to the premises as tensions rose.
Placards carried by the demonstrators bore strong messages such as “Akpabio don’t destroy our democracy,” “Say no to electoral fraud,” “Stop betrayal of the ballot,” and “The Senate must prioritise citizens over politics.” Others read “Akpabio don’t dare the masses” and “The conference committee must protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electronic voting process.”
The protest highlights growing public concern over electoral credibility and governance reforms, with demonstrators insisting that lawmakers must uphold the will of the people and safeguard democratic institutions.
