‎I Wasn’t Tear-Gassed When I Demanded Audience with American Congress – Elbuba Joins OccupyNass Protests ‎

By Emmanuel Kwada

‎Prominent Nigerian cleric and activist Prophet Isa El-Buba has strongly condemned the use of tear gas by security forces against peaceful protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja, drawing a stark contrast with his own experience engaging with American lawmakers.

‎In a passionate address amid the ongoing #OccupyNASS demonstrations, El-Buba asserted that he was not tear-gassed when he recently demanded an audience with members of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. He highlighted the receptive response he received abroad, questioning why Nigerian authorities resort to force against citizens making legitimate demands at home.

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OccupyNass protesters are protesting at the National Assembly.

‎”I just came in from the states. And you can imagine Nigerians in a peaceful demonstration. And you are pumping tear gas,” El-Buba said, speaking directly to the crowd and broader Nigerian audience.

‎”I wasn’t tear-gassed when I demanded to talk with the American congressmen. They listened to me and listened to my offer. Why should in Nigeria, Nigerians making their presentation of what they are asking for and all that they will get is tear-gassing all of these people?”

‎The protests, which have entered second week under the banner #OccupyNASS, center on demands for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

‎For how long will Nigerian leaders continue to kill their citizens rather than to do the right thing?

‎Demonstrators argue this reform is essential to prevent vote manipulation, ensure transparency, and restore public trust in the electoral process ahead of future elections, including those in 2027.

‎Videos and reports from the scene show security personnel deploying tear gas to disperse protesters on at least Day 4 of the action, despite claims by participants that the gathering remained peaceful.

‎El-Buba, who joined the demonstration to stand in solidarity with the mostly young participants, described the response as an attack on democracy.

‎”This is our younger generation. I was passing and I saw these younger people standing for the future of a nation. And what this country, what these people can do is to pump tear gas on innocent Nigerians,” he stated.

‎You are responsible to decide what happens in your country. You either allow tyranny or you allow democracy to reign in Nigeria. Nigeria, it is your time.

‎He referenced past violence against citizens, including killings in Kwara, by Boko Haram, in Mangu (Plateau State), and in Benue’s Yilwatda, asking: “For how long will Nigerian leaders continue to kill their citizens rather than to do the right thing?”

‎Positioning himself as a priest and spiritual leader, El-Buba framed the protest as a moral and civic duty. “I am here as a priest. I came to see what’s going on and to stand with these young people,” he said. “All they are asking for is for the e-transmission of results, real time. And this is what you are getting. We are not deterred. There is no going back.”

‎He urged Nigerians to take responsibility for their nation’s future: “You are responsible to decide what happens in your country. You either allow tyranny or you allow democracy to reign in Nigeria. Nigeria, it is your time.”

‎The cleric accused authorities of attempting to “steal the vote of the people” through suppression rather than addressing citizen concerns. “We continue to insist our vote must count. We want mandatory, real time, electronic transmission of results. No going back,” he declared emphatically.

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INEC official uploading election results during the 2023 elections.

‎The #OccupyNASS movement has drawn participation from various activists, civil society groups, and figures such as Omoyele Sowore, who has also condemned the tear-gassing as a “declaration of war on Nigerians” and a “coup against democracy.”

‎Protesters maintain that real-time transmission represents a foundational step toward modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system and preventing the irregularities that have plagued past polls.

‎As the demonstrations persist, El-Buba’s intervention—rooted in his recent international experience—has amplified calls for restraint by security forces and genuine dialogue from lawmakers.

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