Former minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi on Monday joined protesters at the National Assembly to oppose the Senate’s rejection of real-time electronic transmission of election results.
At the protest, Amaechi accused President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio of showing little concern for the lives and safety of Nigerians during elections.
He spoke to journalists while joining protesters calling for an amendment of the Electoral Act to allow electronic transmission of results.
‘People Are Dying’
The ex-Rivers governor said election violence persists because political leaders do not suffer its consequences.
“People are dying, and they don’t care,” he said.
According to him, those in power remain shielded by security while ordinary citizens face danger at polling units.
He added that authorities often rig elections under heavy security deployment.
‘They Will Bring Police’
Meanwhile, the former Rivers governor said Nigerians should expect increased security presence during elections.
“They will bring policemen. Whether you like it or not, they will bring policemen,” he said.
However, he stressed that only mass participation can neutralise electoral manipulation.
“To stop them from rigging, we must come out in large numbers,” Amaechi added.
Call for Mass Mobilisation
Consequently, Amaechi urged Nigerians to mobilise nationwide ahead of elections.
He said massive voter turnout would weaken intimidation and suppress rigging.
“If there are 300,000 policemen, bring out 600,000 Nigerians,” he said.
According to him, security agents would hesitate to repress citizens when confronted by overwhelming numbers.
Electronic Transmission as Lifesaving Tool
Furthermore, Amaechi described electronic transmission of results as a tool that could save lives.
He said it would reduce physical clashes at polling units and collation centres.
“The advantage is that very few people will die on the election field,” he said.
He added that manual collation fuels tension, manipulation, and bloodshed.
Accuses Leaders of Self-Interest
Amaechi also accused political leaders of blocking electronic transmission to protect their interests.
“The simple reason is their interest,” he said.
He argued that technology can address concerns about remote areas.
“Go and buy Starlink,” he added.
Criticism of Presidency
In addition, Amaechi criticised the presidency for what he described as selective concern over insecurity.
He claimed the president reacts only when foreign pressure mounts.
“The only time the president began to react to insecurity was when Americans complained,” he said.
Urges Opposition Unity
Amaechi then called on opposition parties to unite against what he described as attempts to undermine credible elections.
He urged parties such as the PDP and ADC to mobilise supporters for sustained protests.
“This protest is to make a mark that Nigerians must come out,” he said.
‘Nigerians Must Wake Up’
Finally, Amaechi said fear has silenced Nigerians for too long.
He urged young people to revive the culture of protest and resistance.
“We were shot at. We were killed. But we were on the streets,” he said, recalling past struggles.
He stressed that sustained civic pressure remains essential for credible elections and democratic accountability.
