February 09, (THEWILL) — Once again, Nigerians are up in arms against the Senate for its role during the consideration of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 for passage into law.
According to reports, the bone of contention is the decision of the 10th Senate, led by its President Godswill Akpabio, to vote down Clause 60(3), which sought to make it mandatory for presiding officers to electronically transmit election results from polling units directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real time.
Instead, it retained a discretionary provision allowing the electronic transfer of results only after votes have been counted and publicly announced at polling units.
The decision has attracted widespread criticism from Nigerians across board who have described it as a setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Although Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended the action, insisting that the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results, a coalition of Nigerian political activists, civil society organisations and elder statesmen has launched a fierce opposition to the Senate’s decision.
Acting under the umbrella of the newly formed Movement for Credible Elections, the group described the Senate’s action as a calculated move to facilitate electoral fraud ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement released on Saturday, the group declared that the legislative move was not an act of governance, but one of “deliberate democratic sabotage.”
The statement read, “The action of the lawmakers is considered by MCE as a direct assault by the National Assembly to subvert the right of Nigerians to freely choose the leaders of their choice.”
Also, the MCE has announced a definitive action plan to force a legislative U-turn, officially endorsing and calling for a massive protest in Abuja, tagged ‘Occupy NASS’.
“We are calling on all our partners and allies to join the ‘Occupy NASS’ protest scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026. We call on Nigerians everywhere—students, workers, traders, and professionals—to stand up and be counted,” the statement added
Among the prominent figures expected to participate in the planned protest are human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), former Minister of Education Dr Oby Ezekwesili, renowned economist Prof. Pat Utomi, former Nigeria Labour Congress president Ayuba Wabba, political activist Dr Usman Bugaje, Senator Shehu Sani and members of the Obidient Movement.
We support the group’s plan to force a legislative U-TURN through protest. We believe that all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, faith or social leaning should be actively involved in this movement for a secure political future.
