Peter Obi Condemns Tear-Gassing of Peaceful Election Protesters, Calls for Transparency

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Former 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, slammed the tear-gassing of peaceful Nigerians demanding free, fair, and credible elections. The incident unfolded Tuesday at the National Assembly, where demonstrators clashed with police after authorities fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Videos from the scene showed protesters fleeing the fumes, sparking widespread outrage. Reacting on his X account, Obi denounced the act as a national embarrassment, warning it reinforces Nigeria’s image as a “Now Disgraced Nation.”

“Harmless citizens performing their constitutionally guaranteed duties peacefully were tear-gassed simply for asking for what is right: free, fair, and credible elections in a democratic nation,” Obi wrote.

He urged Nigerians to unite against efforts undermining democracy, emphasizing the need to protect the country’s collective future.

“I urge Nigerians, en masse, to resist these continued evil plans, to stand united against the destruction of our nation and collective future, and to ensure that free and fair elections are firmly established for the sake of our future,” he said.

Obi also stressed the urgent adoption of real-time mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results, insisting it is essential for transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

“We insist that there must be real-time mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results to ensure transparency and trust in our elections. May God grant us the strength to build a better country, founded on free, fair, and credible elections, justice, and good governance, for the future of our dear nation,” Obi added.