A peaceful demonstration at the National Assembly in Abuja turned chaotic when security operatives deployed tear gas against citizens presenting a petition demanding mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
Prophet Isa El-Buba, who recently returned from the United States, was among those present and condemned the action.
Reacting to the development, El-Buba said it was sad that such a thing was happening in Nigeria.
“I was tear gassed at the National Assembly, in my own country, for what reason?” He asked.
“Imagine Nigerians in a peaceful demonstration, and all they get is tear gas. These young people are standing for the future of this nation, and all they are asking for is for their voices to be heard,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that the protest, attended mostly by youth activists, focused on calls for transparency in elections through the electronic transmission of results.
El-Buba criticized the authorities for what he described as an unnecessary show of force.
“I was not tear gassed when I demanded to talk with American congressmen, they listened. Why should Nigerians making their presentation here be treated this way?” He further queried.
Meanwhile, another activist, Randy-Peter Akah, who has been vocal since the protest resumed, retorted: “We cannot detach ourselves from the suffering of our fellow citizens. There’s no going back.
“We are not better than the 100 persons killed in Kwara, the victims in Plateau, or the people in Benue State. How long will Nigeria continue to harm its citizens instead of doing the right thing?
“Our vote must count. We want mandatory, real electronic transmission of results.”
The demonstration highlights growing tensions over electoral integrity in Nigeria, as citizens demand transparency and accountability from their leaders.
The protesters vowed to continue their campaign until their demands are met, urging Nigerians to take responsibility for ensuring that democracy prevails.