By Gabriel Ameh
Rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has applauded former presidential candidate Peter Obi for joining protesters at the National Assembly on Tuesday to oppose the proposed Electoral Act.
Adeyanju described Obi’s participation as “courageous and timely,” arguing that certain provisions in the bill could hinder genuine electoral reform and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement issued on Monday, Adeyanju warned that if the legislation is passed without review, it may undermine key democratic principles and erode confidence in future elections.
“I commend Peter Obi for joining the protest at the National Assembly against the proposed Electoral Act, which I believe contains anti-people provisions and could stand in the way of true electoral reform in Nigeria,” Adeyanju stated.
He urged political leaders across party lines to move beyond statements and take practical steps to challenge any law that could diminish democratic values, noting that silence at critical moments may be interpreted as complicity.
The protest drew civil society organisations, youth groups, and opposition figures, all calling on lawmakers to reconsider and amend aspects of the bill seen as contentious.
Protesters maintained that any electoral reform should prioritise transparency, protect voters’ rights, and strengthen the credibility of the electoral system.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official response from the National Assembly regarding the protest.
