House of Reps Apologize for Tear-Gassing Electoral Act Protesters

The House of Representatives has issued an apology to protesters who were affected by the firing of tear gas at the National Assembly complex earlier in the week. House Spokesman Akin Rotimi called the incident regrettable and assured the public that the circumstances surrounding it are under review. He emphasized that protesters are constitutionally protected when attending the National Assembly and that such an event “should never have happened.”

The apology was delivered during a press conference in Abuja organized by the Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa, alongside several other civil society groups, to review the Electoral Act recently signed into law. The event brought together stakeholders to discuss the legislative process and the new provisions of the act.

The incident occurred when operatives from the Nigerian Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who had returned to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday. The protesters were demanding the mandatory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, having resumed their demonstration after a five-day suspension.

While affirming the right to peaceful protest, Rotimi cautioned against potential infiltration by disruptive elements seeking to incite a breakdown of law and order. He also defended the National Assembly’s handling of the Electoral Act review process, insisting that lawmakers acted in good faith and that civil society organizations were actively involved throughout the legislative procedure.