Police Fire Teargas As Protesters Storm National Assembly Over Electoral Act Amendment

By Peterside Rejoice

Tension erupted at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force fired teargas at protesters who stormed the premises to register their grievances over the Senate’s approval of both electronic transmission and manual collation of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.

The protesters, comprising civil society groups and concerned citizens, had earlier assembled at the main gate of the National Assembly, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions demanding full electronic transmission of election results.

Eyewitnesses said the situation escalated when some of the demonstrators attempted to force their way into the complex, prompting security operatives to intervene.

In a bid to disperse the crowd, police officers fired several teargas canisters, causing panic and confusion at the entrance of the federal legislature.

The protesters, including women and elderly persons, were seen running in different directions to escape the choking fumes. The confrontation led to temporary disruption of movement around the National Assembly gate.

Amid the chaos, an average-aged woman reportedly fainted after inhaling teargas. She was quickly attended to by fellow protesters and sympathisers at the scene.

The protest follows growing controversy surrounding the Senate’s position to retain both electronic transmission and manual collation of election results in the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, a move critics argue could undermine electoral transparency.

As of the time of filing this report, security presence around the National Assembly remained heightened, while normal legislative activities continued inside the complex.

Further details are expected……