SUNTV GLOBAL REPORT
Former Education Minister and activist, Oby Ezekwesili has strongly condemned the Federal Government, lawmakers, and security agencies following the tear-gassing of peaceful protesters at the National Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja.
The demonstrators had gathered on Tuesday to demand transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly the inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results in the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission reform bill.
Ezekwesili, who is part of the Movement for Credible Elections, said police moved in shortly after she left a press briefing at the venue, dispersing citizens with tear gas. She described the action by the Nigeria Police Force as a direct attack on democratic rights.
In a series of posts on social media, the former minister questioned why citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest were treated as enemies.
She also accused lawmakers of attempting to weaken electoral transparency by removing the clause mandating electronic transmission of results from the proposed Independent National Electoral Commission reform bill.
According to her, the move signals a dangerous attempt to legitimize electoral manipulation ahead of future elections.
Ezekwesili warned both the legislative and executive arms of government that undermining credible elections could threaten Nigeria’s stability, cautioning that leaders were “playing with fire.”
She further alleged that the controversial bill could soon be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent despite widespread public opposition.
Civil society groups have continued to insist that without electronic transmission of results directly from polling units, future elections—especially the 2027 general polls—could face serious credibility challenges.
SUNTV Global reports that the controversy has intensified nationwide, with growing calls for electoral reforms that guarantee transparency, accountability, and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
