Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi has stated why he attended the “Occupy the National Assembly” rally with his son.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday, Amaechi explained that he came with his son, a medical doctor, as a precaution in case the event turned violent and participants were injured.
The former Rivers State governor further stated that his choice was based on his opinion that leaders should be physically present during significant protests and stand with the people rather than watching from afar.
He urged Nigerians to rise up and take to the streets to condemn the Senate’s decision.
Amaechi also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of opposing the electronic transmission of election results out of fear of losing elections.
“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.
“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? I thought they said they have 31 governors. Tinubu is not Jonathan. The only way a good politician will know he has done well is by the people,” Amaechi added.
He also stated that opposition parties and civil society organizations will continue to demonstrate, even if Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu look the other way.
Amaechi also compared present living conditions to those experienced during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which he served in.
He said, “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.”
The former Rivers governor further alleged that corruption has spiked under Tinubu.
Asked whether he believed Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election, Amaechi said, “Let’s wait and see,” adding that it would be impossible for the incumbent to win the poll.
“The will of the people must prevail,” he said.
Chronicle NG reports on Monday that former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, had also joined the protesters, lending his voice to calls for electoral transparency and credibility.
The odd sight of protestors carrying mattresses and pillows to the National Assembly garnered extensive attention on social media, with many viewing the action as a symbolic pledge that they would not leave until lawmakers agreed to their demands.
Demonstrators, including civil society groups, youth organizations, and concerned citizens, request that the draft legislation expressly contain the words “real-time electronic transmission” to avoid ambiguity that could jeopardize electoral integrity.
While many Nigerians have urged politicians to make real-time electronic broadcasting mandatory, some legislators have argued that the provision should be discretionary, citing logistical and infrastructural problems.
The Senate has repeatedly denied rejecting the clause, issuing various clarifications to correct what it calls “misinformation” regarding its stance on the topic.
However, protesters have maintained their stance, claiming that precise language is required to prevent manipulation and ensure that INEC cannot use discretion in transmitting results.
