Tension over the controversial Electoral Act 2026 spilled onto the streets of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday, as scores of demonstrators staged a peaceful solidarity march in support of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Organized by the Arewa Grassroots Leaders Assembly, the protesters marched from the National Assembly complex to INEC headquarters in Abuja, waving placards with inscriptions such as “Chairman, Stay the course,” “We support free, fair and peaceful elections,” and “Defend democracy.”
The rally comes a day after the Senate rejected calls to amend the Electoral Act 2026, despite opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi describing the law as anti-democratic and urging immediate review.
Addressing journalists at the protest, AGLA National President Collins Onogu said the gathering aimed not to condemn, but to commend INEC for its leadership and electoral reforms.
“Within a short period, the Commission under its leadership has successfully conducted three major electoral exercises — the Anambra governorship election, FCT Area council elections, and bye-elections in Kano and Rivers States,” he said. “These elections, by domestic and international observer accounts, were largely peaceful, procedurally transparent, technologically progressive, and administratively coordinated.”
The group also praised INEC for improved logistics, inclusiveness, and enhanced electoral technology, particularly upgrades to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which ensured faster result uploads, traceable metadata, and strengthened integrity during recent elections.
“Electoral reform is not an event, it is a journey. Our presence today is driven by one message – ‘Do not relent.’ Nigeria’s democracy is safer when elections are credible,” Onogu added.
The protest occurred against the backdrop of INEC’s adjustments to the 2027 electoral timetable. Presidential and National Assembly elections are now scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are set for March 6, 2027. Some Muslim groups have criticized the dates, claiming they clash with Ramadan.
