BREAKING: Police Fire Teargas At Peaceful Protesters Demanding Electronic Vote Transmission At National Assembly, Abuja

Police Fire Tear Gas at #OccupyNASS Protesters Demanding Electoral Reform

February 17, 2026

Armed police officers on Tuesday fired tear gas at protesters gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja under the banner of #OccupyNASS.

The demonstrators had assembled to demand mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in future polls. They were addressing supporters when security operatives moved in to disperse the rally.

Among those present were former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress Omoyele Sowore, and former Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo.

The protest occurred shortly after the leaders urged participants to remain steadfast in advocating for electoral reforms. Police officers, reportedly led by the National Assembly Divisional Police Officer, deployed anti-riot personnel to break up the gathering.

Tear gas canisters were subsequently fired into the crowd, triggering panic as demonstrators fled the area. Several protesters were said to have sustained injuries during the ensuing commotion.

Despite the initial dispersal, some protesters later regrouped near the National Assembly gate. Reinforcements, including multiple police vehicles carrying armed officers, arrived and released additional tear gas to disperse the crowd again.

Demands for Electoral Transparency

The protest drew activists, civil society groups and citizens pressing lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act to require immediate upload of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IReV portal.

Chants of “We no go gree, Akpabio pass the bill” and “Our vote must count” were heard as demonstrators carried placards reading “Don’t alter the bill, pass it” and “Rigging election is a coup.”

The demands were directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the leadership of the National Assembly, whom protesters accused of delaying reforms they consider vital for electoral transparency.

Sowore’s arrival at the protest was met with cheers from supporters, who vowed to continue the demonstration until lawmakers take action.

As of the time of filing this report, the police had not issued an official statement on the incident.