Police Disperse Electoral Reform Protesters At National Assembly With Tear Gas
The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday, February 17, used tear gas to disperse protesters gathered outside the National Assembly in Abuja, amid rising tensions over proposed changes to the country’s electoral laws. Among those present were activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former minister Solomon Dalung, who joined the demonstration calling for reforms to ensure greater transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections. Sowore condemned the police action, describing it as a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. He said several protesters collapsed after being exposed to tear gas and urged Nigerians to mobilize in defense of electoral integrity and civil liberties. “This has translated now to a total declaration of war on Nigerians. This is a coup against democracy…for the first time the police is using compressed containers that penetrate through your skin on Nigerians. Over two people have collapsed in this place now. This is not going to be accepted. We are calling on Nigerians to be heading down to the National Assembly,” Sowore stated. The protesters demanded the implementation of real-time electronic transmission of election results, restoration of a 360-day statutory timeline for issuing election notices, and stricter penalties for vote buying. They insisted that these measures are essential to enhance transparency, improve preparations by electoral stakeholders, and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. Despite the dispersal, the demonstrators vowed to continue pressing their demands, urging members of the National Assembly Conference Committee to prioritize public interest and strengthen electoral accountability. Just look at the Nigerian Police in their full glory on National TV. pic.twitter.com/dtG9Bz9IYs — Morris Monye (@Morris_Monye) February 17, 2026