‘Where is Atiku?’- Nigerians slam ex-VP’s silence as Electoral Reform protest rocks NASS

Nigerians on social media have begun dragging former Vice President and ex-PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his silence amid the ongoing Occupy National Assembly protest in Abuja.

The backlash followed Monday’s mass protest at the National Assembly, where demonstrators marched in large numbers, chanting and singing over the controversy surrounding electronic transmission of election results.

Protesters stormed the entrance of the National Assembly complex over the Senate’s position on electronic transmission of election results, as outrage continues to grow nationwide.

The protest is part of mounting resistance against the removal of mandatory real-time electronic transmission from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, a move critics say could weaken transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was among political figures seen at the protest ground, where he reiterated calls for credible and transparent elections.

“We don’t want any glitch again… Allow the election to go through the normal process,” Obi told supporters during the demonstration.

But while Obi and some opposition voices were visibly active, many Nigerians online turned their attention to Atiku and other political heavyweights, questioning their absence from the protest.

One user wrote:
“Where is Atiku Abubakar? We will be watching. Nobody will stroll to Aso Rock by God’s special grace. We will make sure it does not happen.”

Another post read:
“I ask again, Where is Atiku, Amaechi, Tambuwal, David Mark, El-Rufai, Emeke Ihedioha, Rauf Aregbesola?”

Another user questioned Atiku’s stance on the electoral reform debate, writing:
“Where is @atiku? Or he’s not going to be affected by the Electoral Act if he wins the ADC ticket???”

Another reaction said:
“Mr Peter Obi joins the ongoing protest at the National Assembly in Abuja over the INEC Electoral Reform Bill. Now where is Atiku and the likes??”

A separate post added:
“Where is Atiku?? That man just dey chill for Saudi or Dubai. He’s not a worthy opposition at all.”

The protest, tagged “Occupy National Assembly,” is expected to continue as activists and political supporters intensify pressure on lawmakers to restore real-time electronic transmission of election results in the amendment bill.

Meanwhile, the Senate has scheduled emergency legislative deliberations amid the escalating public backlash over the controversial amendment