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Minority lawmakers have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of suppressing opposition voices in the legislature, alleging a pattern of intimidation, procedural manipulation and exclusion from key deliberations on critical national matters.
These allegations of marginalisation and suppression follow Tuesday’s rowdy plenary session during deliberations on the Electoral Act amendment. News Central earlier reported that Tuesday’s plenary session in the Senate turned rowdy as lawmakers walked out of plenary after controversial Electoral Act amendments were passed. Other minority caucus senators accused the APC of partisanship.
Nigerians and stakeholders in the country’s democratic space have intensified calls for an amendment to the Electoral Act regarding the electronic transmission of election results. Debates also arose over whether presidential and gubernatorial elections should coincide with Ramadan, and civil society organisations (CSOs), Nigerians and politicians have raised concerns about vote-buying, multiple voting, and result manipulation.
The two chambers of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature have been holding plenary sessions to address these issues recently. Still, as this is going on, lawmakers from opposition parties have decried suppression nd marginalisation from the ruling party.
One of the lawmakers, Fred Agbedi, who represents the Sagbama/Ekeremor constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of suppressing lawmakers from other political parties.
“In the lawmaking process, the people have their opinion. The beauty of democracy is that the majority will have their way while the minority will have their say. When you ignore members who raise points of order, it causes rowdiness. We all have equal rights, and when I speak, I am speaking for my people,” said Agbedi.
The House of Representatives member also noted that the Senate’s refusal to allow minority lawmakers air their opinions triggered the disruptions that arose during Tuesday’s plenary.
Another PDP lawmaker representing Oyo State’s Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency, Anthony Adepoju, accused the APC of acting against the will of Nigerians regarding the electronic transmission of results.
Since Monday, scores of Nigerians have been gathering in front of the National Assembly to demand that the amended law guarantee mandatory real‑time e‑transmission of results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to Arise News on Tuesday night, said that the recent actions of APC lawmakers in the National Assembly contravene the interests of many Nigerians who are demanding credible elections in 2027.
“We want Nigeria to have trust in our democracy and elect the leaders that they want. What played out in the National Assembly is the APC trying to go against what Nigerians want,” said Adepoju.
