Supporters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday staged a solidarity march in Abuja amid growing public debate over the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.
The protest, organised by the Arewa Grassroots Leaders Assembly (AGLA), commenced at the National Assemblycomplex and concluded at INEC headquarters. Participants carried placards and chanted slogans expressing support for the commission and its leadership as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The demonstration followed the Senate’s rejection of calls for a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2026. Pressure for a review had mounted after opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, criticised the law as unfavourable to democracy and demanded urgent changes.
Lawmakers, however, advised critics to pursue constitutional and legislative channels rather than exerting public pressure on the electoral body.
Addressing journalists during the protest, AGLA National President, Collins Onogu, described the gathering as a show of encouragement rather than condemnation.
“We have gathered peacefully today at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission to lend our voices not in condemnation but in commendation. This is a solidarity protest,” he said.
Onogu commended INEC’s current leadership, stating that recent elections conducted under the commission had shown visible improvements. He cited the Anambra governorship election, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, and bye-elections in Kano and Rivers states as examples of polls organised within a short period that were largely peaceful and transparent.
According to him, the elections recorded improved logistics, early deployment of materials, enhanced security coordination, and greater inclusion of young people and persons with disabilities.
“Democracy thrives not only on voting but on trust, and trust is built through consistent, credible processes,” he added.
The group also highlighted upgrades to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), noting improved stability and faster upload speeds during recent elections. Onogu explained that the system now prevents votes from exceeding the number of accredited voters and enables citizens to view results in near real time.
“These innovations represent measurable progress in Nigeria’s electoral technology evolution. We encourage the Commission to continue investing in digital transparency tools that deepen public confidence,” he said.
He further urged INEC to establish backup network systems in areas with limited internet connectivity and called on political actors and the media to engage electoral institutions responsibly.
“Our presence here today is driven by one message – ‘Do not relent.’ Electoral reform is not an event; it is a journey,” he stated.
The protest comes amid ongoing public debate over the Electoral Act 2026, recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by Bola Tinubu on February 18.
