The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday, February 17, dispersed demonstrators who gathered at the National Assembly in Abuja with tear gas, as tensions mounted over proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework.
Among those affected by the dispersal were activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former minister Solomon Dalung, who were present at the protest demanding reforms to strengthen electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sowore alleged that police used force against peaceful demonstrators, describing the action as an assault on democratic expression.
He claimed some protesters collapsed following exposure to tear gas and called on Nigerians to mobilise in defence of electoral integrity and civil liberties.
“This has translated now to a total declaration of war on Nigerians. This is a coup against democracy…for the first time the police is using compressed containers that penetrate through your skin on Nigerians.
Over two people have collapsed in this place now. This is not going to be accepted. We are calling on Nigerians to be heading down to the National Assembly,” Sowore said.
The protesters’ key demands included real-time electronic transmission of election results, restoration of a 360-day statutory timeline for issuing election notices, and tougher penalties for vote buying.
Demonstrators insisted the measures were necessary to enhance transparency, improve preparation by electoral stakeholders, and rebuild public confidence in the electoral process.
Despite the dispersal, protest organisers insisted citizens would continue to press their demands, urging lawmakers in the Conference Committee of the National Assembly to act in the public interest and strengthen electoral transparency.
Meanwhile, civil society organisation YIAGA Africa, in a post on its X handle, said reports reaching it indicated that the National Assembly had adopted the Senate’s position on Clause 60(3) regarding electronic transmission of results, contrary to public expectations and the earlier stance of the House of Representatives.
The group added that both legislative chambers had also agreed to shorten the statutory timeline for issuing the election timetable from 360 days to 300 days, warning that the decisions could affect transparency, preparedness, and the credibility of the 2027 electoral process.
(ICIR)
