Party says Democracy is beautiful when it's peaceful in action....

A faction of Nigeria’s New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has praised political activists and stakeholders for staging a peaceful protest against the manual transfer of election results to a central collation point, describing the demonstration as a positive sign for democracy.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, the party said it was encouraged by the cordial conduct between protesters and security operatives during the Jan. 9 demonstration.

“Democracy is beautiful when it is peaceful in action,” the statement said, adding that the National Assembly remains “the heartbeat of democracy” and a key channel of communication between citizens and the executive and judicial arms of government.

The NNPP said the peaceful nature of the protest reflected progress in democratic engagement and urged the government to take decisive steps to address insecurity across the country.

On the substance of the protest, the party reiterated its support for the electronic transmission of election results in real time from polling units, saying it would enhance transparency and accountability and reduce post-election disputes.

“To achieve the objectives of democracy, which are rule of law, good governance and development, we must be transparent and accountable,” the statement said.

The NNPP called on lawmakers to ensure that electoral guidelines are “clear, positive and unambiguous” and to heed the wishes of the majority of Nigerians.

It urged citizens to work collectively for national progress and avoid unfounded assumptions in political discourse, expressing hope for a stronger Nigeria.