Former Kaduna State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) critic, Nasir El-Rufai, has spoken out on the recent OccupyNASS protest at the National Assembly, led by former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The protest, held on Sunday, was organized to demand the Senate assent to the Electronic Transmission of Results clause in the Amended Electoral Act. This provision, already passed by the House of Representatives, is aimed at ensuring transparency and credibility in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential aspirant in the 2023 elections, led the protest, which drew large crowds of Nigerians concerned about election integrity. Demonstrators carried placards and banners calling for free, fair, and transparent elections, emphasizing that electronic transmission of results would reduce election manipulation.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, El-Rufai stated that he would have personally joined Obi in the protest if he had been in Nigeria. The former governor argued that the protest highlights a broader concern about the ruling APC and its approach to the 2027 elections.
“I would have joined Peter Obi to protest at the National Assembly if I were in the country,” El-Rufai said. “Real-time electronic transmission stops rigging, and it was passed by the House of Representatives, but the Senate is sadly frustrating it because the ruling party knows they can’t win the election.”
Electronic transmission of results is considered a key tool for election transparency in Nigeria. It involves the real-time digital reporting of election results from polling units to central collation centers, minimizing opportunities for manipulation, tampering, or delays in official results.
The Senate’s refusal to assent to the clause has sparked criticism from civil society groups, opposition parties, and concerned Nigerians. Many fear that without electronic transmission, the integrity of the 2027 elections could be compromised, especially given the influence of the ruling party in electoral processes.
El-Rufai emphasized that the amendment is not just a technical requirement but a safeguard for democracy. He warned that the APC would struggle to win the 2027 elections under current conditions without attempting to influence the results.
“The Tinubu Administration would not win in 2027 without manipulating the Electoral Process,” he said. “Real-time electronic transmission is not a favor; it is a necessity to ensure credibility and trust in the system.”
The OccupyNASS movement represents growing frustration among Nigerians over electoral transparency. Supporters argue that delaying or rejecting electronic transmission favors political interests over the will of the people.
Peter Obi’s leadership of the protest reflects his continued focus on electoral reforms following his 2023 presidential campaign. He has consistently championed measures aimed at ensuring free, fair, and credible elections across Nigeria.
During the protest, demonstrators staged rallies around the National Assembly, calling on senators to act in the interest of Nigerian voters rather than party politics. Social media also amplified the protest, with hashtags like #OccupyNASS and #ElectronicTransmission trending nationwide.
El-Rufai, who is widely seen as a frontliner for the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC), has not hidden his criticism of the APC and the Tinubu Administration. His comments suggest that without reforms like electronic transmission, the ruling party may rely on traditional methods of election manipulation to retain power.
“The Senate is frustrating the process because the ruling party knows they cannot win fairly,” he added. “If the process is fair, the election outcome might not favor them, and that is why transparency is being blocked.”
He described electronic transmission as an essential reform to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and restore confidence among voters. According to El-Rufai, any delay or obstruction threatens not only election credibility but also the country’s political stability.
The comments by El-Rufai have sparked reactions on social media, with some Nigerians praising his boldness in speaking out against the ruling party. Others argue that as a former APC governor, he should focus on building consensus rather than criticizing.
Civil society organizations have also weighed in, calling on the National Assembly to fast-track the assent to electronic transmission provisions. “This is not a partisan issue,” said one NGO spokesperson. “It is about ensuring that every vote counts and is accurately reported.”