“No E-Transmission, No Peace!” — Peter Obi Joins Youths to Storm National Assembly Over Electoral Act ‘Gbas Gbos’

Things just got heated in the Federal Capital Territory! If you thought the 2023 election drama was over, think again. The “Obidient” general himself, Peter Obi, was spotted earlier today ditching the suit and tie to join a sea of angry Nigerian youths at the National Assembly (NASS) gates in Abuja.

The Bone of Contention: The atmosphere was electric as protesters took over the NASS entrance to vent their frustrations over the Senate’s recent decision regarding the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026.In case you missed the memo, the Senate recently passed the bill but rejected the clause that would make real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory. Instead, they’re sticking to the “discretionary” mode—meaning INEC gets to decide how and when they send results.For the youths and civil society groups gathered today, this is a massive “red flag” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi’s Surprise Appearance: The crowd went wild when the former Labour Party presidential candidate arrived at the scene. Speaking to the press and the cheering crowd, Obi didn’t mince words. He insisted that any amendment to the law that doesn’t guarantee transparency is a step backward for Nigeria’s democracy. “We cannot be talking about progress while moving backward. If we can bank online and shop online, why can’t our votes be counted and seen online in real-time?”

The “New” Electoral Act: What’s Really Changing? Aside from the e-transmission drama, the 2026 Bill has some other notable updates: BVAS is Official: The “Smart Card Reader” is officially obsolete; the law now recognises the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Shortened Timelines: The notice for elections has been slashed from 360 days to just 180 days.Court Evidence: A controversial clause that would have allowed parties to prove rigging using only documents (without needing oral witnesses) was also struck out by the Senate.

What’s Next? The “Occupy NASS” protesters are vowing not to back down until the lawmakers reconsider their position. With Peter Obi now leading the charge, the pressure on the National Assembly is at an all-time high.

What do you think? Is the Senate trying to “rig” 2027 in advance, or is Nigeria truly not ready for full electronic transmission? Drop your comments below! 👇🏾