VIDEO: Ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi explains why he brought his son to join #OccupyNASS protest
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi appeared at the #OccupyNASS protest outside the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, accompanied by his first son, to demand mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Amaechi explained that he brought his son—a medical doctor—to the protest ground to counter claims that politicians encourage others to demonstrate while keeping their families safe abroad. He added that his son was present to provide medical assistance if any protesters were injured.
The appearance came amid growing public outcry, which appears to have influenced the Senate.
Later on Tuesday, the upper chamber bowed to pressure by approving electronic transmission of election results to the IReV portal. As a backup for network failures, lawmakers also permitted manual collation.
The decision followed reconsideration of a controversial provision in the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, during an emergency plenary session.
The amendment was introduced via a motion sponsored by Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno North, who said further scrutiny of clause 60(3) showed the need for changes to avert disputes and operational challenges in elections.
Monguno proposed allowing presiding officers at polling units to transmit results electronically to the IReV portal after Form EC8A has been duly completed, signed, and stamped.
However, the provision does not mandate electronic transmission and excludes any requirement for real-time uploads.
Under the approved amendment, if electronic transmission is disrupted by network or communication issues, the manually completed EC8A form will serve as the primary basis for collation and declaration of results.
The motion was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who argued that electoral laws must balance transparency goals with Nigeria’s infrastructural realities.
After brief deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the amendment to a voice vote, with the “ayes” prevailing.
