Solomon Dalung, a former minister of youth and sports development, has supported the planned demonstration by well-known activists, labor organizations, and elder statesmen at the National Assembly on Monday.
Human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN), former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, famous economist Prof. Pat Utomi, former Nigeria Labour Congress president Ayuba Wabba, political activist Usman Bugaje, Senator Shehu Sani, and members of the Obidient Movement are among the notable individuals anticipated to take part in the planned protest known as “Occupy NASS,” according to a report.
Speaking on Channels Television, Dalung claimed that the planned demonstration was a justifiable reaction to the Senate’s deterioration of democratic norms and public confidence.
Dalung’s support coincided with mounting indignation at the Senate’s decision to strike the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026’s requirement for electronic transmission of election results.
The former minister responded by criticizing the 10th Senate’s handling of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and its choice to forego the requirement that election results be transmitted electronically.
“There is no repute for the Senate. Therefore, it is unable to provide Nigerians with an election that is both credible and honest. The integrity of the poll determines how individuals behave and respond to what the Senate President deems to be ongoing,” he stated.
He said that the current legislature had fallen short of its fundamental democratic duty to reflect Nigerians’ will, especially when it came to matters that were essential to the legitimacy of elections.
It is without a reasonable doubt that this 10th Senate does not represent the Nigerian people. “Democracy is understood to mean that the Senate speaks for the people,” he said.
The minister criticized MPs for moving forward with Electoral Act modifications without extensive public input, emphasizing that electoral rules are essential to democratic administration and should not be taken lightly.
Dalung warned that Nigerians should oppose any attempt to enact legislation that would compromise the integrity of upcoming elections and expressed a profound suspicion of the Senate’s motives.
Therefore, the Senate was supposed to include the public in this particular electoral act issue if it is to represent the people. It is an extremely delicate and important aspect of our democracy. However, as you can see, they simply went alone, as is customary and typical of these individuals.
“We have no faith in this Senate. In order to avoid having to deal with what Prof. Mahmood (Yakubu) accomplished following the 2023 election, we will not permit them to complete their current plans,” he said.
Additionally, he stated, “And with all due respect, the Senate President’s statement has further confirmed the fact that the 10th Senate He continued, “The agitation for the planned Occupy National Assembly is strengthened by the fact that his explanation was rather exposed to their agenda.”
