The House of Representatives has issued an apology to demonstrators who were affected by tear gas fired at the National Assembly earlier in the week, describing the incident as unfortunate and under review.
The apology was delivered on Thursday by House Spokesman Akin Rotimi during a press conference held in Abuja to discuss the recently signed Electoral Act.
The event was organised by the Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa in partnership with the International Press Centre, TAF Africa, Centre for Media and Society, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and ElectHer.
The Nigeria Police Force had faced widespread criticism after its officers fired tear gas at protesters who had returned to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
The demonstrators were demanding the mandatory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.
Rotimi expressed sympathy for those affected, saying, “I would like to express my sympathy with all those who were affected by the tear gas incident at the National Assembly the other day. It’s something that the House of Representatives’ media and public affairs is taking up. It should never have happened.”
He reiterated the constitutional right to peaceful protest but urged caution to prevent disruption by troublemakers.
“Protesters who attend the National Assembly are entitled and constitutionally protected, and we’re looking into the circumstances that led to that.
I would also like to encourage that when you have those protests, you should also discourage infiltration by nefarious characters who would want to incite a breakdown of law and order,” he said.
Rotimi also defended the handling of the Electoral Act review, insisting that lawmakers followed all legal and procedural requirements.
“Civil society organisations were very much involved throughout the review of the Electoral Act 2022 and now the Electoral Act 2026… the public engagement process was full to the letter,” he said.
He acknowledged that many stakeholders were dissatisfied with aspects of the new law, but stressed that due process was strictly followed.
“Every single thing was done in keeping with the Constitution, the House and Senate rules… Democratisation is a process. What we have now does not preclude further amendments in the future when more facts emerge.”
Rotimi urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the legislature.
“What we have might be an imperfect law, but it is nonetheless done in the best interest of Nigerians. We implore civil society and Nigerians to work with it to ensure we get free and fair elections.”
He also backed calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a nationwide simulation of its result transmission system and supported immediate publication of the newly assented Electoral Act.
“INEC should deploy a simulation of the commission transmission as quickly as possible… and the National Assembly should very quickly publish the Electoral Act. It must be made available to Nigerians,” he said.
Rotimi acknowledged the rising distrust in public institutions but assured that lawmakers would continue engaging with citizens to rebuild confidence.
The conference marked part of ongoing post-legislative engagement between parliamentarians and civil society following debates surrounding the Electoral Act 2026 and the 2027 general elections.
