Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has renewed calls for the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a critical demand of the Nigerian people and questioning why lawmakers are resisting it.
Speaking at the Occupy National Assembly protest in Abuja on Tuesday, Yesufu expressed concern over what she described as a deliberate attempt by the Senate to undermine electoral transparency.
She said, “All we are asking for is real-time electronic transmission of the electoral results. We are here, and we are waiting for the lawmakers we sent to Abuja to pass the bill the way it should be passed.
“All citizens are asking for is electronic transmission, real-time. I do not see any reason why that is a problem.”
Yesufu also decried the heavy military presence at the protest venue, arguing that the deployment of armed soldiers to confront unarmed demonstrators was both unconstitutional and provocative.
She said, “To every soldier that you brought here, know that you are here unconstitutionally because your job description does not include being here against protesters.
“Before you pull that trigger or throw that canister, ask yourself: Is it constitutional or unconstitutional?”
The fiery activist further accused the Federal Government of misplacing its security priorities, pointing out that troops are often missing from terror-prone areas, yet deployed in the capital against peaceful citizens demanding electoral reform.
“There are soldiers that should be in Kwara defending the people, yet they are here,” she said.
Yesufu referenced recent security breaches and lamented government inaction.
She added, “Terrorists threatened citizens yesterday. The last time they did, over 200 people were killed. They operated from sunset to sunrise. But instead of sending soldiers there, they brought them to Abuja to intimidate peaceful protesters.”
