Nigeria’s political space heated up Wednesday following the Senate’s decision to pass the 2026 Electoral Act amendment without explicitly mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results, a move that has triggered sharp backlash from pro-democracy groups.
In an immediate response, the Obidient Movement announced a nationwide mass mobilisation tagged “Occupy NASS”, accusing the National Assembly of weakening electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call to action was issued by the National Coordinator of the movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, less than 24 hours after the Senate concluded the third reading of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026.
While Senate leaders insist that the new law still empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the mode of results transmission, critics argue that the failure to make electronic transmission compulsory leaves room for manipulation and undermines public trust in the electoral process.
Reacting via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Tanko accused the legislature of deliberately resisting reforms that would strengthen credible elections and urged Nigerians to move beyond online activism.
“Obidients, get ready! They want to test our energy and our collective resolve to protect our country. We must protect our democracy! It’s time to arise and shine, Nigerians. A New Nigeria is Possible,” Tanko wrote.
Following the statement, digital campaign materials bearing the hashtags #OccupyNASS and “Is the Senate Against Democracy?” flooded social media, calling on supporters to converge on the National Assembly in a peaceful protest.
According to the movement, the mobilisation is aimed at pressing three core demands: accountability in legislative decision-making, transparency in the electoral process through the restoration of mandatory electronic transmission of results, and sustained civic action until what it describes as “anti-democratic provisions” are reversed.
One of the widely circulated posters calls on “Obidients worldwide” to join the action, suggesting coordinated demonstrations by Nigerians in the diaspora alongside domestic protests.
Political observers say the development could mark a critical turning point in the run-up to the 2027 elections, as the Obidient Movement positions itself as a major pressure group willing to challenge legislative decisions it considers a threat to credible polls.
As tensions rise, all eyes are now on how the National Assembly and security agencies will respond to the planned demonstrations and whether the controversy will force a reconsideration of the contentious electoral provisions.
