Abuja was jolted awake on Tuesday by an unusual wave of protest as demonstrators stormed the National Assembly complex armed not with placards alone, but with mattresses and pillows.
In a dramatic twist to civic agitation, the protesters said they were prepared to “sleep it out” until lawmakers heed their demand for the mandatory electronic transmission of election results, a reform they insist is critical to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The spectacle quickly drew attention as the protesters spread their bedding near the complex, symbolically signalling their resolve to remain for as long as it takes. According to the organisers, the action was deliberately theatrical—designed to force national attention on what they described as a defining issue for electoral transparency and credibility.
“We are here to stay,” one protester declared, noting that the mattresses and pillows represented the patience Nigerians have already exhausted with disputed election outcomes. “Electronic transmission of results is no longer optional; it is essential for democracy.”
Security operatives maintained a visible presence as the demonstration unfolded peacefully, while passers-by and staff within the complex paused to watch the rare scene.
The protest adds to mounting public pressure on lawmakers to enshrine electronic result transmission into law, amid ongoing debates over electoral reforms. As dusk approached, the message from the demonstrators was unmistakable: until transparency is guaranteed at the polls, they are ready to camp at the nation’s parliament.
For now, the lawns of Nigeria’s legislative seat have become a temporary protest bedroom—one that lawmakers may find hard to ignore.
About The Author
