The Rescue Nigeria Alliance (RNA), a civic movement also known as the *Initiative for Good and Informed Citizenship*, joined hundreds of Nigerians today at the gates of the National Assembly in a major demonstration led by former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
The protesters demanded an unambiguous legal guarantee for the *real-time electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units*, describing it as a non-negotiable step toward restoring transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The demonstration, tagged “Occupy National Assembly”, was sparked by strong dissatisfaction with the Senate’s recent passage of the *Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026*, in which lawmakers removed the explicit requirement for “real-time” transmission of results. Protesters insist that this omission opens the door to result manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the crowd, Mr. Peter Obi, now affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), decried the Senate’s action, urging legislators to align with the will of the Nigerian people. He emphasized that credible elections remain the foundation of democracy and called for clear statutory language compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload results from every polling unit to the IReV portal in real time.
RNA members marched alongside other civic and youth-led organizations, women’s groups, and pro-democracy activists, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards bearing inscriptions such as *“Our Votes Must Count”* and *“Real-Time Results Now!”* The Alliance’s participation reflects civil society’s growing insistence that electoral transparency must be strengthened, not diluted.
Security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps maintained order as protesters conducted themselves peacefully throughout the rally.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, **Chief Tochukwu Ezeoke**, spokesperson of the Rescue Nigeria Alliance, reiterated the group’s position:
> “The electronic transmission of results in real time is the backbone of credible elections. It must be clearly written into our laws, not left to discretion or policy. Nigeria can no longer afford ambiguous provisions that undermine public trust.”
As at press time, the Senate announced an emergency plenary session for Tuesday, February 10, heightening expectations that lawmakers may reconsider the controversial clause in response to growing public pressure.
**Signed:*
Chief Tochukwu Ezeoke
Spokesperson, Rescue Nigeria Alliance (RNA)
