The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has decried alleged police brutality during their peaceful protest at the National Assembly Complex Abuja to press for a mandatory online real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The President, League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) Irene Awunah-Ikyeg in a speech to women groups chided the National Assembly’s refusal to amend the Electoral Act as demanded and the violent suppression of peaceful protest.
Addressing the women she said we “gathered peacefully at the National Assembly, demanding a simple, yet crucial amendment: mandatory real‑time transmission of election results from polling units to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IREV). This demand is not a partisan whim; it is a cornerstone of transparent democracy, a safeguard against manipulation and a right enshrined in our civic conscience.”
“It is therefore with profound disappointment that we note the Assembly’s outright refusal to act on this amendment. By turning a deaf ear to the people’s call, our legislators have chosen to betray the very foundation of our democratic experiment” she stated.
According to her, the NASS “inaction signals a dangerous complacency, allowing opacity to flourish and undermining public trust in every future election. Such a stance not only fails the nation today but also jeopardizes the hopes of our children and the dignity of our mothers who have long fought for a fair electoral process.”
“To add insult to injury, the peaceful assembly of our members was met with wanton violence. Police officers, instead of protecting citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest, unleashed tear‑gas on vulnerable women, scattering them and inflicting needless trauma” she stated.
The NILOWV President emphasizeed that the “brutal response is a stark reminder that, when institutions meant to uphold justice become instruments of oppression, the social contract is fractured. We condemn in the strongest terms this use of force against law‑abiding citizens who were merely demanding accountability.”
“To those legislators who have by their silence or opposition supported the crucifixion of our dear democracy, we say: you have not only failed Nigeria; you have failed your own families, your children, and the mothers who nurtured you. History will record your names alongside those who chose convenience over conscience and it will judge you accordingly” she warned.
She expressed the hope that reason and patriotism can still prevail and we call on you to reconsider, to amend the Electoral Actnand to restore faith in our electoral system.
She called on all NILOWV members nationwide to remain calm and steadfast.
“Our strength lies in our unity and our peaceful resolve. We will not be deterred by intimidation; instead, we will channel our collective energy into lawful, strategic actions. Await further guidance on next steps, and prepare to stand together for a transparent, credible electoral future. Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its people—let us protect it with courage and conviction” she said.
