Young widow recounts husband’s killing, calls for real-time election results at NASS protest

A young widow broke down in tears on Tuesday at the ongoing OccupyNASS protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, pleading with lawmakers to deliver credible electoral reforms and mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results.

She recounted the tragic loss of her husband, who was kidnapped and killed just a year after their wedding, despite the kidnappers collecting a ransom, a pain compounded by her recent birth to a set of twins.

“I have an experience that is breaking me through my life as you can see,” she said, her voice quivering with emotion. “I am bitter that this is what the country is turning to. We want a free and fair election, that’s all we are asking. Please, we want electronic transmission of our election result, real-time election result. One man, one vote.” 💔😥

The OccupyNASS protest, which started on Monday, was sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with the Senate’s controversial handling of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, particularly the decision to dilly‑dally on explicitly mandating real‑time electronic transmission of results from polling units.

Demonstrators argue that without clear legal backing for real-time transmission, Nigeria’s elections remain vulnerable to manipulation and fraud.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other activists have joined the sit‑in, while heavy security presence remains at the National Assembly gates as protesters maintain pressure on lawmakers to reverse course.