Reps Apologise Over Tear Gas At National Assembly

The House of Representatives on Thursday apologised to protesters affected by the firing of tear gas at the National Assembly earlier this week, describing the incident as regrettable and assuring that the circumstances were under review.

The apology was conveyed by the House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi, during a press conference in Abuja to review the Electoral Act recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

The event was organised by the Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa in collaboration with the International Press Centre, TAF Africa, Centre for Media and Society, Nigerian Women Trust Fund and ElectHer.

The Nigerian Police had come under criticism after operatives fired tear gas at demonstrators who gathered at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday to demand mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.

Expressing sympathy with those affected, Rotimi said, “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 added, “Protesters who attend the National Assembly are entitled and constitutionally protected, and we’re looking into the circumstances that led to that.”

While affirming the right to peaceful protest, the lawmaker warned against possible infiltration by disruptive elements.

“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 breakdown of law and order.

“That’s to say that the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, particularly, is very intentional about public engagement,” he said.

Rotimi also defended the National Assembly’s handling of the Electoral Act review process, insisting that lawmakers acted in good faith and in line with constitutional procedures.

He stated, “As the previous speaker rightly said, throughout the process of the review of the Electoral Act 2022 and now of the Electoral Act 2026, civil society organisations were very much involved.

“I know that a good number of us, especially in civil society, are not quite pleased with the outcomes (passage of the Electoral Act). But I want to assure you that in terms of the process, the public engagement process was full to the letter.”

He maintained that due process was followed at every stage of the amendment exercise.

“What we had was very detailed. Every single thing was done in keeping with the Constitution, the House and Senate rules, and all of that.

“I always like to say that democratisation, of which elections are a critical ritual, is a process. We are at this point, and it doesn’t preclude the fact that there are opportunities in the future to amend the Electoral Act further,” he added.

Call For Trust, INEC Simulation

Rotimi urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the legislature despite 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.

“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 that the outcomes will be free, fair, and fairly good elections,” he said.

On suggestions that the Independent National Electoral Commission should conduct a nationwide simulation of its result transmission system, Rotimi said the House welcomed the proposal.

“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.

He also supported the immediate publication of the newly assented Electoral Act.

“I think it’s something that should be made available to Nigerians… Everybody needs to be aware of what it is that has been passed,” he added.

Acknowledging declining public trust in institutions, Rotimi said, “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.”

The conference formed part of ongoing post-legislative engagement between lawmakers and civil society groups following the passage of the Electoral Act 2026, which has generated heated debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.