Dalung Throws Support Behind ‘Occupy NASS’, Slams Senate Over Electoral Act

The planned demonstration by well-known activists, labor unions, and elder statesmen before the National Assembly on Monday has the support of Solomon Dalung, a former minister of youth and sports development.

According to a report, prominent figures such as human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN), former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, renowned 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 anticipated to take part in the planned protest known as “Occupy NASS.”

During an appearance on Channels Television, Dalung claimed that the planned protest was a valid reaction to the Senate’s deterioration of democratic norms and public trust.

Growing indignation over the Senate’s decision to eliminate the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026’s requirement for electronic transmission of election results coincided with Dalung’s endorsement.

The former minister responded by criticizing the 10th Senate’s decisions to eliminate mandatory electronic transmission of election results and its handling of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The Senate’s repute is zero. Nigerians cannot therefore expect a credible or honest election as a result. He stated that the integrity of the survey determines public behavior and how people respond to what the Senate President deems to be ongoing.

The current legislature, he claimed, has failed in its fundamental democratic duty to reflect the will of Nigerians, especially on matters that are essential to the legitimacy of elections.

Beyond a reasonable doubt, the 10th Senate has demonstrated that it does not represent the Nigerian people. “The Senate is understood to represent the people in a democracy,” he said.

Emphasizing that election laws are the foundation of democratic administration and should not be taken lightly, the minister criticized parliamentarians for moving forward with changes to the election Act without extensive public input.

Dalung warned that any attempt to impose measures that might compromise the integrity of upcoming elections should be met with resistance from Nigerians, expressing a profound suspicion of the Senate’s motives.

Therefore, it was believed that the Senate, which represents the people, would include the people in this particular electoral act issue. It is a crucial and delicate aspect of our democracy. However, as is common and typical of these individuals, they simply departed alone.

“This Senate is not trustworthy. We will not permit them to complete their current plans so that, in the end, we will be left with what Prof. Mahmood (Yakubu) accomplished following the 2023 election,” he said.

With all due respect, he added, “And the Senate President’s explanation has further underlined the fact that the 10th Senate “His explanation was rather exposed to their agenda, which reinforces the agitation for the planned Occupy National Assembly,” he continued.