Senators Clash Over Electronic Transmission Of Election Results – Tension Hits The Upper Chamber

On Thursday, the Senate was sharply divided as 13 opposition senators rejected reports claiming that the upper chamber had abandoned the mandatory electronic transmission of election results during the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The controversy erupted after media reports suggested that the Senate had rejected real-time electronic transmission during Wednesday’s proceedings, sparking public outrage.

However, the senators, led by Enyinnaya Abaribe, insisted that the provision remains intact and that deliberations were not yet concluded. Speaking in Abuja, Abaribe, along with Senators Victor Umeh, Abdul Ningi, and ten others, reaffirmed their support for Clause 60, Subsection 3, which mandates electronic transmission of polling unit results. They pledged to monitor the provision throughout the legislative process until it is transmitted for presidential assent.

Abaribe clarified that more than two-thirds of the Senate support real-time transmission and accused media reports of misrepresenting the plenary session. “To put the record straight, the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results. What we passed is electronic transmission as provided in the 2022 Act,” he said. He added that the briefing was intended to correct misconceptions and reassure Nigerians of the Senate’s commitment to electoral transparency.

The senators explained that a joint committee of both chambers had extensively reviewed the amendment and agreed on electronic transmission. Abaribe noted that the Senate had yet to adopt the votes and proceedings from Wednesday’s plenary, meaning the legislative process is still ongoing.

During the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that Clause 60 was adopted “as amended,” which some interpreted as a rejection of real-time transmission. Opposition senators countered this, emphasizing that the deliberations are still active and the provision remains in the bill.

Political leaders and civil society organizations condemned the reported rejection, warning that it could undermine electoral credibility ahead of the 2027 elections. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and several opposition parties stressed that the ruling APC is seeking to preserve loopholes in the electoral system to manipulate future elections.

In a joint statement, the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, and New Nigeria Peoples Party expressed concern over the Senate’s move, calling it retrogressive and capable of derailing democracy. They urged the conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position on mandatory real-time electronic transmission.

Peter Obi described the reported rejection as “an unforgivable act of electoral manipulation,” noting that disputes in previous elections, particularly in 2023, were linked to the failure to implement full electronic transmission. He warned that rejecting this safeguard threatens Nigeria’s democratic integrity and hinders progress compared to other African nations adopting technology to enhance transparency.

Obi concluded, “By rejecting mandatory electronic transmission, the Senate is entrenching disorder and prioritizing the interests of a few over the future of the country and its citizens.”