Abuja — Tension escalated at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as armed soldiers and other security personnel took up strategic positions around the Three Arms Zone amid an ongoing protest over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The demonstration, under the banner #OccupyNASS or “Occupy National Assembly,” intensified after the Senate's recent handling of provisions related to the electronic transmission of election results. Protesters, including civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups, and prominent figures such as former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and activist Aisha Yesufu, have gathered at the main entrances since Monday, February 9, 2026, demanding the explicit inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Reports from multiple sources confirm a significant security buildup involving personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army (including elements of the Guards Brigade), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other agencies. Soldiers were observed early Tuesday morning positioning themselves around key access points to the legislative complex, with major roads leading to the National Assembly cordoned off to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in some areas.
The deployment aims to maintain order, secure the premises, and protect lawmakers who are in session or preparing for an emergency plenary reportedly scheduled to address the controversy. Despite the heavy presence, the protest has remained largely peaceful, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as “Electoral Reform Now,” “Our Votes Must Count,” and “Pass the Bill,” while displaying placards calling for transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The core grievance stems from the Senate's passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026. During clause-by-clause consideration, lawmakers rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60, sub-section 3, that would have made real-time electronic transmission compulsory. Instead, the Senate retained language from the existing 2022 Act, stating that presiding officers shall transmit results “in the manner prescribed by the Commission.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other leaders have clarified that the upper chamber did not reject electronic transmission outright, but rather opted against mandating “real-time” specifics to avoid technical or legal complications. Critics, however, argue that the omission weakens safeguards against manipulation, delays, or alterations during collation, thereby undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
Peter Obi, who joined the protest on Monday, described the demand as non-partisan and essential for democratic integrity. “This is not about political parties or individuals. It is about the future of our democracy,” he stated. “When people vote, their votes must count, and the only way to guarantee that is through mandatory electronic transmission of results.”
Aisha Yesufu questioned the deployment of soldiers to the protest site, calling it unconstitutional and urging personnel to reflect on their role in a democratic setting. Other activists and CSOs have vowed to sustain the demonstration until the provision is clearly reinstated.
The National Assembly has faced mounting pressure, with some reports indicating plans for an emergency session to revisit the contentious clauses. As of the time of this report, the protest continues to grow, with participants maintaining a sit-in at the entrances despite restricted access to the complex.
The developments highlight deep public anxiety over electoral transparency in Nigeria, particularly following controversies in previous elections. Civil society groups and opposition voices have warned that failure to address the issue could erode trust in the 2027 polls.
Security officials have not issued an official statement confirming the exact authorization for military deployment, but sources indicate it was coordinated to prevent any breach of peace in the sensitive Three Arms Zone, which houses the presidency, legislature, and judiciary.
Protesters have committed to ongoing action, insisting that only explicit statutory backing for real-time transmission can restore faith in Nigeria’s electoral framework.
