Security was tightened once again at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Monday as protesters gathered at the main gate to demand the immediate passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill, with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and prominent activist Aisha Yesufu present at the demonstration.
The protest, organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, youth groups, and concerned citizens, focused on the demand for mandatory electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As protesters chanted “Pass the bill now!”, “Our votes must count!”, and “No electronic transmission, no election!”, Aisha Yesufu was seen speaking loudly to security operatives positioned in front of the National Assembly gate.
Addressing the policemen directly, Yesufu said it is terrorists—not peaceful protesters—who intimidate citizens with weapons, stressing that the police are constitutionally meant to protect Nigerians, not scare them.
She added that security forces should be focused on protecting citizens abducted in the North and those across the country whose safety is increasingly under threat, rather than confronting peaceful demonstrators demanding electoral reforms.
In a moment that drew loud reactions from the crowd, Yesufu declared that “the worst you can do is shoot us, but it will not stop this protest,” reinforcing protesters’ resolve to continue pressing for electoral transparency.
Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi was also present at the protest ground.
Although he did not address the crowd or make any public statement as of the time of filing this report, protesters said his presence alone sent a strong message of support for the electoral reform movement.
Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were also on ground, lending political backing to the demonstration.
Despite the charged atmosphere, the protest remained peaceful. A combined security team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) maintained a heavy presence to secure the area and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The Electoral Amendment Bill has remained a major point of national debate, with advocacy groups warning that failure to pass key reforms—particularly electronic transmission of results—could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
As of the time of filing this report, the National Assembly had not issued an official response to the protesters’ demands.