The House of Representatives on Thursday tendered a formal apology to protesters affected by the tear gas incident at the National Assembly earlier this week, describing the event as regrettable and assuring the public that the circumstances surrounding it were under review.
The apology was delivered by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, during a press conference convened to review the recently signed Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, and to engage with civil society stakeholders on issues relating to electoral reforms and public participation. Rotimi expressed sympathy for those who were affected, stressing the importance of maintaining a balance between public engagement and security protocols within the legislative precincts.
Addressing journalists at the press briefing, Rotimi stated, “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.”
The spokesman emphasised that the National Assembly recognises and upholds the constitutionally protected right of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, and that the House would continue to examine the events that led to the deployment of tear gas in order to prevent any recurrence in the future.
Rotimi further elaborated on the House’s position, noting, “Protesters who attend the National Assembly are entitled and constitutionally protected, and we’re looking into the circumstances that led to that.”
While defending the right to peaceful demonstration, he also cautioned organisers and participants to ensure that protests are not infiltrated by disruptive elements seeking to incite chaos or undermine law and order within the National Assembly complex.
“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 form of and break down of law and order,” he said, adding that the legislature remains committed to facilitating public engagement in a secure and orderly manner.
The protests in question occurred on Tuesday when demonstrators returned to the National Assembly complex to demand the mandatory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026. The demonstrators, organised by civil society groups including the Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa, were met with criticism following the deployment of tear gas by the Nigerian Police.
Civil society organisations have since expressed concerns over the handling of the protests, highlighting the need for security agencies to respect constitutional rights while maintaining order.
Rotimi took the opportunity during the press conference to provide context regarding the legislative review of the Electoral Act and the engagement of civil society throughout the process. He defended the procedures followed by the House, asserting that they were fully compliant with constitutional requirements and designed to ensure meaningful participation from stakeholders across the country.
“I know that a good number of us, especially in civil society, are not quite pleased with the outcomes…But I want to assure you that in terms of the process, the public engagement process was full to the letter,” he said.
In addition to expressing regret over the tear gas incident, Rotimi appealed to Nigerians to retain confidence in the legislature, emphasising that the House acted in the best interest of the country despite challenges and criticisms.
“We have acted in the best interest of Nigerians, and we want Nigerians to have some faith, hope and trust in the National Assembly,” he said, highlighting the importance of public trust in legislative institutions and processes. He acknowledged that the law may not be perfect but urged civil society and citizens to work with it to ensure free, fair, and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
On the specifics of electoral reform, Rotimi encouraged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct nationwide simulations of its result transmission system, stating that such exercises would help identify gaps and strengthen confidence in electronic transmission of results.
“We also welcome very much the suggestions that INEC should, as quickly as possible, deploy some sort of simulation of the commission transmission. Let’s test it to know just where the gaps are and ensure that they are fixed,” he said, stressing that practical verification is a critical step toward enhancing transparency and electoral integrity.
Rotimi also spoke about the immediate publication of the Electoral Act, highlighting its significance for public awareness and institutional accountability. The House spokesman emphasised that timely dissemination of the Act would enable political parties, civil society, and the general public to understand new provisions, including contentious clauses relating to result transmission, thereby ensuring that electoral processes are carried out in accordance with the law.
The press conference formed part of post-legislative engagement between lawmakers and civil society groups, following the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which President Bola Tinubu signed into law on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The law has generated nationwide debate, particularly regarding provisions on electronic transmission of results, transparency mechanisms, and the roles of INEC and other stakeholders in ensuring credible elections.
Rotimi underscored that the House remains committed to fostering inclusive governance by encouraging dialogue with civil society organisations and citizens, particularly on issues that affect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
He highlighted that such engagement was central to the democratic mandate of the legislature, stating, “The National Assembly, the House of Representatives, particularly, is very intentional about public engagement.”
Addressing concerns about declining trust in public institutions, Rotimi acknowledged the pervasive cynicism and skepticism surrounding government actions but urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and engaged.
“I know that trust, apathy and cynicism have been at an all-time low for governments generally and, you know, especially the legislature. But we’ll continue to work hard to regain that trust,” he said, reaffirming the House’s commitment to transparency and accountability in legislative affairs.
Rotimi further elaborated that the post-legislative review of the Electoral Act was designed to ensure that civil society inputs were fully considered in shaping electoral laws, especially in areas of high public interest. He stressed that ongoing consultation and dialogue were intended to maintain legitimacy and promote broad-based confidence in the electoral system.
On the matter of protest management, Rotimi emphasised that while peaceful demonstrations are constitutionally protected, the legislature and security agencies must work collaboratively to prevent the exploitation of public protests by individuals or groups with disruptive agendas.
“That’s to say that the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, particularly, is very intentional about public engagement,” he said, reiterating that public participation remains central to the work of lawmakers.
Rotimi also called on civil society and Nigerians to continue constructive engagement with the legislative process, reminding them that reforms, though sometimes imperfect, are implemented with the nation’s best interest at heart.
“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 the outcomes will be free, fair, and fairly good elections,” he said, urging collaborative efforts to strengthen democratic governance.