By Muhammad Mamman
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalong has thrown his weight behind ongoing protests across Nigeria, describing the demonstrations as a defence of democracy and a demand for credible elections.
Speaking on Monday, Dalong said the protests were driven by citizens’ insistence on free, fair and transparent polls, warning that electoral integrity in Africa’s most populous nation “is no longer negotiable”.
“This protest is about defending the Nigerian vote and ensuring real-time transmission of election results,” he said. “Nigerians want outcomes that genuinely reflect the will of the people, not political manipulation.”
His remarks come amid growing public pressure on the National Assembly to amend electoral laws to guarantee the electronic, real-time upload of results from polling units — a reform many civil society groups say is critical to curbing rigging and restoring trust in the democratic process.
Demonstrators in Abuja, Lagos and several other cities carried placards calling for transparency and accountability, urging lawmakers to prioritise electoral reforms ahead of future polls.
Dalong called on legislators to act in the national interest, stressing that credible elections are fundamental to stability and good governance.
“The National Assembly must rise to its responsibility,” he said. “Anything short of real-time transmission of results undermines democracy and the voice of Nigerians.”
Rights groups and election observers have long argued that delays and manual collation of results leave room for interference, often fuelling post-election disputes and public unrest.
As pressure mounts, activists say the protests will continue until lawmakers commit to reforms that guarantee transparent elections and protect every vote.
