Police Disperse Electoral Reform Protesters with Tear Gas at National Assembly
Men of the Nigeria Police Force deployed tear gas canisters to disperse a group of demonstrators who had gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja. The protesters were demanding comprehensive reforms to the electoral framework in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Protesters Demand Electoral Transparency
The demonstration was led by prominent activists including former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former minister Solomon Dalung. They assembled in front of the National Assembly to call for measures aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and transparency.
Key demands from the protesters included:
- Implementation of real-time electronic transmission of election results
- Restoration of a 360-day statutory timeline for issuing election notices
- Enactment of tougher penalties for vote buying and electoral malpractice
Protest organizers argued these reforms were essential to enhance transparency, improve preparation by electoral stakeholders, and rebuild public confidence in Nigeria's electoral process.
Police Response and Activist Reaction
Police officers subsequently opened tear gas canisters to disperse the gathering. In statements to journalists following the dispersal, Omoyele Sowore condemned the police action as an assault on democratic expression.
Sowore claimed that some protesters collapsed after exposure to the tear gas and described the police tactics as "a total declaration of war on Nigerians." He specifically alleged that police used "compressed containers that penetrate through your skin" against demonstrators.
"This is a coup against democracy... Over two people have collapsed in this place now. This is not going to be accepted," Sowore stated. He called on Nigerians to mobilize in defense of electoral integrity and civil liberties, urging citizens to head to the National Assembly to support their demands.
Continued Pressure for Reform
Despite the forceful dispersal, protest organizers maintained that citizens would continue pressing their demands. They specifically called on lawmakers in the Conference Committee of the National Assembly to act in the public interest by strengthening electoral transparency measures.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between civil society groups advocating for electoral reforms and security forces responsible for maintaining order around government institutions. Protesters insisted that their demonstration was peaceful and that police used disproportionate force against them.
This confrontation occurs against the backdrop of preparations for Nigeria's 2027 general elections, with activists arguing that meaningful electoral reforms must be implemented well in advance to ensure a credible electoral process.
