Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has explained why he attended the “Occupy the National Assembly” protest alongside his son.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, Amaechi said he brought his son, a medical doctor, to provide medical assistance in case the demonstration turned violent.
He added that his presence reflected his belief that leaders should stand physically with the people during major protests rather than observe from a distance.
Amaechi urged Nigerians, especially opposition parties, to mobilize and protest the Senate’s decision to make electronic transmission of election results discretionary.
“I believe that the opposition parties should come out—PDP, ADC, everybody should be out—to protest against the attempt of one party,” he said.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of opposing electronic transmission because of fear of losing future elections. “If we come out and they say the opposition has hijacked the protest, what is the APC doing? Are they not hijacking? What are they afraid of?” Amaechi asked, emphasizing that electoral credibility depends on public scrutiny.
He also criticized current living conditions, contrasting them with his time in the Muhammadu Buhari administration. “It is worse now than it was then. In Buhari’s time, at least, even though we were planning to remove the subsidy, we had better plans for citizens,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that corruption has increased under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and expressed doubt about Tinubu winning the 2027 presidential election. “The will of the people must prevail,” he said.
The protest comes amid ongoing controversy over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, particularly the provision for real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units. While many Nigerians advocate making it compulsory, the Senate insists the measure should remain discretionary, citing logistical and infrastructural concerns.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also joined the protesters on Monday, lending his voice to calls for electoral transparency and credibility.
