‘Programming rigging into law’ – Civil Society, Labour storm NASS, demand e-transmission before 2027

2026-02-17 - 15:36

By Henry Umoru ABUJA- A coalition of civil society organisations and organised labour under the umbrella of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly foe a massive protest, asking for sweeping constitutional and legislative reforms to guarantee transparent and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general polls. The protesters, comprising governance advocates, labour leaders, youth groups, and electoral reform campaigners, warned that failure by lawmakers to enact mandatory electoral reforms could further erode democratic legitimacy and plunge the country into deeper political instability. Addressing Journalists and demonstrators at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, MCE leaders declared that Nigerians had lost confidence in the electoral system due to recurring irregularities, including vote buying, electoral violence, voter suppression, manipulation of results, and weak enforcement of electoral laws. Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewale Adebayo read the address on behalf of the leaders. The speech was signed by Dr Usman Bugaje as – Co – Chair ; Comrade Ayuba Wabba as Co – Chair; Amb Nkoyo Toyo – Deputy Chair ; Hajia Bilikisu Magoro – Deputy Chair; Comrade Promise Adewusi, mni – Director of Administration; Comrade Ene Obi – Director of Mobilisation (CS); Peter Ameh – Director of Mobilisation – (PP); Engr Alex Ardum – Director of Mobilisation (NC); ⁠Barr Malachy Ugwumadu – Director, Legal and Deacon Chris Iyovwaye – Director of Mobilization (SS). Others are Comrade Chris Uyot – Director of Mobilization (Labour); Mallam Hamisu San Turaki – Director of Mobilization (N); Prince Chris Azor – Director of Mobilisation (SE); Comrade Mark Adebayo – Director of Mobilization (SW); Peter Randy Akah – Director of Publicity; Comrade James Ezema – Media Coordinator; Comrade Kamal Yusuf Ahmed – Youths Coordinator;Comrade Bala Zakka – Director of Logistics; Alhaji Shettima Yerima – Ex Officio Member; Comrade Salisu Mohammed – Ex Officio Member; ⁠ Mrs Bunmi Ajani Lawson – Director of Public Education; Dr Tanko Yinusa – Director of Special Duties; Prof Akin Fapohunda – Head, Research & Policy; Comrade Hauwa Mustapha – Deputy Head of Secretariat and Veteran Olawale Okunniyi – Head of National Secretariat. According to the speech, the Counsels/ Advisors are Barr Femi Falana, SAN – Group Legal Counsel; Dr Oby Ezekwesili – Group Advisor, International: Senator Shehu Sanni – Group Advisor, National; Prince Adewole Adebayo, Esq – Group Advisor, Political; Comrade Joe Ajaero – President, NLC; omrade Festus Osifo – President, TUC and Prof Pat Utomi – NCFront/ Big Tent Leader. Central to the protest was the insistence on mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the Result Viewing Portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission. MCE accused lawmakers of weakening reform provisions by introducing discretionary clauses that could allow manual interference with election results. The coalition argued that real-time electronic transmission must be immediate, compulsory, and legally protected to eliminate manipulation between polling units and collation centres. The coalition insisted that unless urgent reforms were enacted, the credibility of the 2027 elections remains under serious threat. On electoral system under scrutiny, MCE noted that electoral malpractices have evolved into systemic failures that undermine the sanctity of voter mandates, adding that across multiple electoral cycles, Nigerians have witnessed persistent logistical failures, selective deployment of election technology, and post-poll manipulation during collation and declaration of results. “These recurring challenges have become entrenched structural defects in Nigeria’s electoral governance architecture,” the group said, warning that unresolved electoral loopholes could worsen public distrust and political resentment. Twelve-Point Reform Agenda Beyond electronic transmission, the MCE outlined a comprehensive twelve-point electoral reform agenda, including strengthening key provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 to eliminate ambiguities in accreditation, collation, and declaration processes. The coalition also called for stricter penalties for electoral offences such as vote buying, voter intimidation, and destruction of electoral materials, alongside enforceable prosecution mechanisms. Other demands include enhanced institutional independence for INEC through statutory funding guarantees and protection from political interference, as well as independent audits of electoral technologies to prevent system failures during elections. Push for Inclusive Participation The coalition further demanded legislative measures to expand political participation for youth, women, persons living with disabilities, and Nigerians in the diaspora. MCE also advocated early voting arrangements for essential service providers such as security personnel and healthcare workers. Calls for Party Reforms and Judicial Restraint The group insisted on stronger enforcement of internal party democracy through transparent primaries and stricter compliance with party finance regulations. It also called for constitutional amendments requiring election petitions to be concluded before elected officials are sworn into office. MCE equally urged reforms to limit pre-election judicial interventions that disrupt electoral timetables and undermine electoral credibility. Labour Movement Backs Protest The protest received backing from organised labour leaders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress headed by Festus Osifo, both of whom endorsed calls for credible electoral reforms as essential to national stability and good governance. Defections and Electoral Leadership Appointment MCE also demanded constitutional amendments to penalise political defections by elected officials through automatic loss of office and fresh elections. The coalition further called for transparent and merit-based appointment processes for INEC leadership through public advertisement, independent screening, and open legislative confirmation hearings. Threat of Sustained Civic Actions The group vowed to sustain nationwide peaceful protests under the Occupy National Assembly campaign until lawmakers adopt comprehensive electoral reforms. It also advocated the adoption of a Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail system to complement electronic transmission and strengthen result verification. Democracy at Crossroads MCE leaders warned that Nigeria stands at a critical democratic crossroads, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation for addressing governance failures, insecurity, and socio-economic challenges. “Democracy collapses when votes are stolen,” the coalition declared, urging lawmakers to align with popular demands for transparent and accountable electoral reforms. The protest ended with a call for sustained civic vigilance and citizen participation in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ezekwesili Raises Alarm Over Electoral Bill Speaking during the protest, former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, warned that attempts to weaken electronic transmission provisions could amount to what she described as a “coup against democracy.” Ezekwesili urged the National Assembly to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the electoral amendment bill, which she said guarantees mandatory electronic transmission of election results. “The Senate’s version gives discretionary powers that open the door to manipulation, while the House version ensures transparency and accountability,” she said. She further accused political elites of attempting to preserve a flawed electoral structure that enables election rigging and undermines democratic governance, adding, “The only way every vote can count is through mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of results. Anything less is unacceptable.” Ezekwesili also criticised provisions referencing network failures, describing them as potential legal loopholes for electoral fraud. The Senate’s version of the bill gives INEC discretionary power, which opens the door for manipulation. “The House of Representatives version makes electronic transmission mandatory and real-time. That is the only text that guarantees transparency,” she said. She accused lawmakers of attempting to “sustain a system that captures democracy for the pillaging of the Nigerian state.” According to her, “The only reason they don’t want mandatory electronic transmission is because they want to continue to rig elections and undermine the will of the people.” Ezekwesili described the push for discretionary transmission as “a coup against democracy,” stressing that citizens must resist any attempt to dilute the clause. “Every vote must count, and the only way to ensure that is through mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of results. Anything short of that is unacceptable,” she declared. She also criticized the inclusion of “provisos” in the bill, such as references to network failure, which she said would become loopholes for manipulation. “Every law must be clear and unambiguous. Introducing excuses like network failure is a pretext for rigging. Nigerians must not accept this,” she warned. Addressing citizens directly, Ezekwesili urged collective action to defend democracy. “Democracy belongs to the people, not to a few politicians who have rigged themselves into office. “If they pass a law that programs rigging into our elections and the President signs it, then they have declared that Nigerians don’t matter. But we do matter, and we must stand our ground,” she said. She linked electoral transparency to broader governance issues, noting that without credible elections, Nigeria would continue to suffer from poor leadership and insecurity. “2027 must not mark the end of our democracy. Any election that lacks credibility will not be acceptable to Nigerians. We must confront this nonsense and demand accountability,” she added. Ezekwesili concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and demand that lawmakers adopt the House of Representatives’ text. “The most important provision in that bill today is electronic transmission. Without it, our votes will continue to be canceled and manipulated. ” We owe it to ourselves and future generations to get this right,” she said. The event, which brought together members of the Movement for Credible Elections and other civil society groups, ended with a rallying cry for sustained civic engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections. Prophet Isah EL- Buba Calls for Mass Mobilization, Urges Nigerians to Confront Electoral Injustice The Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries International (EBOMI) leader has thrown its weight behind ongoing protests for electoral transparency, with its leader calling for an immediate expansion of the movement across Nigeria. Speaking at the gathering of civil society activists and concerned citizens at the National Assembly Complex, the EBOMI representative described the struggle for credible elections as a battle that must be fought on multiple fronts. “We must expand the frontiers of this battle as quickly as possible. You cannot take power from these people by one means only,” he said. He urged Nigerians to match every tactic of those in power with a counter-strategy. “If they surround us with elections, we surround them at the elections. If they surround us with network, we surround them with our own network. If they surround us with hunger, we confront them with ideas that can liberate us from their hunger,” he declared. Addressing young people, he emphasized their role in shaping the nation’s future. “This is your country. The maximum number of people here is less than 500, but when we are ready, 500,000 people can make the 500 people do whatever we want, including coming to sweep the floor of the protest one by one,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd. He criticized the current scale of protests, noting that more people often gather for other causes. “There is no reason why there are more people protesting at the ESCC than are protesting for fair elections. We can do better; this is small compared to what we have done in the past,” he added. The EBOMI leader framed the movement as a potential uprising, stressing the need for organization and confrontation. “Each time Nigeria had a little bit of consciousness, there’s always an uprising before it. I think we are due for another uprising, and the only way to get this is to organize and confront these people,” he said. Describing himself as a revolutionary rather than a reformist, he called for relentless pressure on those in power. “I’m not one of those who say there’s no need for confrontation. You have to make them go 15 miles so you can secure your own one mile. That is my position, and I hope you are all on board,” he stated. The event, which brought together activists, religious leaders, and citizens, ended with a rallying cry for nationwide mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Let us expand the battle to the whole country. There is no reason to wait. We must act now,” he concluded. –Vanguard News Nigeria