Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the Africa Action Congress (APC), Omoyele Sowore, has joined protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja under the banner of the National Opposition Movement, warning security operatives against any attempt to attack peaceful demonstrators.

Naija News reports that former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung also joined the Tuesday protest.

The protest, tagged #OccupyNASS, is part of mounting opposition to the Senate’s handling of amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly the removal of provisions mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results.

Addressing protesters, Sowore described the controversy as an “exposition that already existed,” insisting that the agitation for credible electoral reforms was not new.

“This is an exposition that already existed. It is not new. That is why it is a surprise to everyone that this provision was yanked away from the Electoral Act that Akpabio and his friends are trying to put in place,” he said.

According to him, the political elite fear transparent elections because they would struggle to win under such conditions.

“We know why they are doing it. These people cannot win in free and fair elections. But the people have a duty to demand processes that guarantee free, legal and transparent elections,” Sowore stated.

While debates have centred on electronic transmission of results, Sowore said his preference goes further than that.

“My preference is not even electronic transmission of results, because what gets transmitted at the end of the day is what has already been manipulated. I am more interested in electronic voting,” he said.

He stressed that Nigerians must defend any system capable of protecting the integrity of their votes.

“Whatever people think in their minds that can protect the integrity of their votes, we must defend and support it,” he added.

Sowore cautioned security agencies against repressing peaceful protesters, reminding them of their constitutional responsibilities.

“It is their job to protect the country, not to attack peaceful protesters. I have warned them that if they try that, they are starting something they cannot predict how it will end,” he said.

He acknowledged widespread frustration among citizens but urged security personnel to remain professional.

“Nigerians are very angry at this time, but security agents have a duty to maintain law and order, nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

Describing himself as a revolutionary, Sowore rejected incremental reforms, arguing that radical change was necessary to fix Nigeria’s political system.

“I’m not for baby steps. I’m a revolutionary. Nothing other than revolution will solve this problem. That has always been my position,” he stated.

He added that the protest symbolised growing public awareness and civic awakening.

“When we arrived here, you could tell this place was filled with silent revolutionaries. The giants in them began to awaken when they saw that we were together,” he said.