Members of the Arewa Grassroots Leaders Assembly (AGLA) on Friday staged a peaceful solidarity protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, commending the Commission for what they described as measurable progress in electoral integrity, digital transparency, and logistics coordination.
The demonstrators, led by Onogu Collins, AGLA National President, said their gathering was not a protest of condemnation but one of encouragement, aimed at reinforcing reforms introduced under the current leadership of INEC.
“We have gathered peacefully today to lend our voice, not in condemnation but in commendation.
“This is a solidarity protest and a protest of encouragement. Nigeria sees the progress, and we ask that it continues”, Collins told journalists.
The group praised INEC’s handling of three recent electoral exercises, the Anambra State Governorship Election, the FCT Area Council Elections, and by-elections conducted in Kano State and Rivers State.
According to Collins, the elections were widely adjudged by domestic and international observers as largely peaceful, procedurally transparent, technologically progressive, and administratively coordinated.
He attributed the improvements to reforms introduced since the appointment of George Amupitan, INEC Chairman, in October 2025, noting that the Commission had demonstrated “administrative will, institutional courage, and commitment to electoral reform.”
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Central to AGLA’s commendation was the enhancement of the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), which the group described as a significant leap in Nigeria’s electoral technology framework.
Collins highlighted noticeable improvements during the FCT Area Council polls and subsequent by-elections, including enhanced server uptime, faster upload speeds, and the introduction of dual-layer validation mechanisms.
“The process now requires presiding officers to upload polling unit result sheets while simultaneously inputting party scores into the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“The upgraded IReV system demonstrated improved server stability and faster upload speeds compared to previous electoral cycles.
“The system architecture ensured that votes entered could not exceed accredited voters, thereby protecting result integrity”, he said.
He added that the portal now generates traceable metadata such as device identification numbers and upload timestamps, creating a digital audit trail that supports post-election reviews and boosts public confidence.
Citizens and political parties, he noted, were able to access polling unit results in near real-time, reinforcing openness in the electoral process.
While applauding the Commission, AGLA urged INEC to consolidate on the gains recorded.
“Electoral reform is not an event; it is a journey. We urge the Chairman and the Commission to strengthen result management systems, expand technology deployment, deepen staff training, and collaborate with stakeholders to establish backup networks in areas with limited connectivity”, Collins stated.
The group also cautioned political actors, media organisations, and citizens against the spread of misinformation capable of undermining public trust in electoral institutions.
“Nigeria’s democracy is safe when elections are credible. Concerns should be raised responsibly and factually,” Collins added.
Responding on behalf of the Commission, Abdullahi Zuru, INEC National Commissioner, thanked the group for the show of support and assured Nigerians that the Commission would remain steadfast in its mandate.
“We shall not relent. We will continue to ensure that whatever is necessary to make our democracy thrive, we shall do it. All we ask is the understanding and cooperation of Nigerians,” Zuru said.
He explained that the INEC Chairman was away on official assignment but would be briefed on the solidarity visit and the message delivered by the group.
“Anything done under his leadership is done in the name and interest of Nigeria. We remain committed to progress and continuous improvement,” he stated.
