The former Minister of Transportation and erstwhile Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, joined hundreds of protesters in Abuja on Tuesday. The demonstration, which entered its second day, seeks to overturn the Senate’s recent rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results.

A defining feature of the day’s proceedings was Mr Amaechi’s arrival alongside his son, a medical doctor. The former Minister’s decision to include his family in the frontlines of the protest was presented as a deliberate challenge to the Nigerian political establishment.

Addressing the press amidst a sea of placards, Mr Amaechi explained that his son’s presence was a matter of principle. He argued that true leadership requires personal and familial sacrifice during moments of national crisis.

“I believe that during major protests, leaders should be at the forefront with their families,” Amaechi declared. He further noted that his son, being a medical professional, was also present to provide immediate aid should the demonstration encounter a violent crackdown from security forces. “I brought him along in case the demonstration turns violent and injuries are sustained,” he added.

The former Minister launched a blistering attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that the ruling party’s opposition to real-time electronic transmission is rooted in a fear of electoral vulnerability. He challenged the APC’s confidence, questioning why a party claiming to control 31 states would be apprehensive of transparent, technology-driven results.

“What are they afraid of? I thought they said they have 31 governors,” Amaechi remarked. “The only way a good politician knows he has done well is through the people. Tinubu is not Jonathan; however, if we come out and they say the opposition has hijacked the protest, I ask: what is the APC doing? Are they not hijacking the process themselves?”

The protest, spearheaded by activist Aisha Yesufu and a coalition of civil society organisations, has received vocal support from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Mr Amaechi echoed the ADC’s call for a unified front, urging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition blocs to take to the streets.

He maintained that while the Presidency and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, may choose to ignore the current public outcry, the pressure from a persistent civil society would eventually force a reversal of the Senate’s decision.

The atmosphere in the capital remained tense as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force erected barricades across major arterial roads leading to the National Assembly. This security cordoning occurred as the Senate prepared for an emergency plenary session to discuss the prevailing political climate.

Despite the heavy security presence, the protesters remained resolute, insisting that electronic transmission is a non-negotiable requirement for the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

r Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has joined other protesters as demonstrations against the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results continued in Abuja on Tuesday.

The protest, which began on Monday, is opposed to the Senate’s decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of election results.

Amaechi, who attended the protest with his son—a medical doctor—said he brought him along in case the demonstration turns violent and injuries are sustained.

The former Minister of Transportation explained that he came with his son to demonstrate his belief that during major protests, leaders should be at the forefront with their families.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on Nigerians to rise up, adding that all opposition parties ought to be on the streets to protest the Senate’s decision.

Amaechi alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is opposed to electronic transmission of election results because it fears 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,” Amaechi said.

“If we come out, and they say the opposition has hijacked (the protest), what is 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.”

He questioned why the party would be afraid, despite having several opposition governors and prominent politicians defecting to its ranks.

He further stated that while Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu may ignore the demands of Nigerians, opposition parties and civil society organisations would persist until the decision is reversed.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force barricaded major roads leading to the National Assembly, where the Senate is scheduled to hold an emergency plenary session on Tuesday.

The protest is being led by human rights activist Aisha Yusuf, alongside several civil society groups that initiated the demonstration on Monday.