Ruth NWORIE
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu during a protest at the National Assembly gate over the delay in passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, particularly the provision on electronic transmission of election results.
The protest marked the second day of demonstrations by concerned citizens, civil society groups and activists demanding urgent electoral reforms ahead of future elections.
Addressing protesters at the National Assembly complex, Amaechi accused political leaders of failing to prioritise citizens’ welfare and the integrity of the electoral process, warning that electoral malpractice would persist without sustained public pressure.
He urged Nigerians to mobilise in large numbers ahead of elections, insisting that mass participation remained critical to resisting election rigging and holding leaders accountable.
Also present at the protest ground was activist Aisha Yesufu, who condemned the barricading of the National Assembly gate by officers of the Nigerian Police Force.
Yesufu reminded security operatives of their constitutional responsibility to protect citizens and uphold democratic values, stressing that their allegiance should be to the Nigerian Constitution and the people rather than political office holders.
The protesters vowed to sustain their agitation until the National Assembly addresses their demands for comprehensive electoral reforms.
“People are dying and they don’t care. Today, Senate President Godswill Akpabio will be in his mansion with the army and police protecting him, while people like us are on the field and elections are being rigged,” Amaechi said.
“If you think elections will not be rigged, you are wasting time. To stop them, we must come out in large numbers. That is why we must protest,” he added.
“The problem is not even Akpabio alone. Even the President does not take citizens’ matters seriously.
The only time the President reacted was when Americans raised concerns that Nigerians were being killed, because he felt his office was threatened,” Amaechi said.
“The Nigerian Police barricading us should remember that their allegiance is to the Nigerian Constitution and the Nigerian people, not to individuals, political parties or politicians who are doing wrong,” Yesufu said.
