A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has criticized the Senate’s recent decision to remove electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act, warning that the move could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Ajadi described the action as a deliberate setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress, cautioning that it could reopen the door to widespread electoral malpractice and erode public trust in the electoral process. The PDP chieftain issued a statement in Ibadan on Friday, reacting to the Senate’s rejection of provisions that would have empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission to electronically transmit results directly from polling units.
He said the absence of electronic transmission creates loopholes that could be exploited to manipulate election outcomes. “Nigerians are deeply uncomfortable with the rejection of electronic transmission of results by the Senate,” Ajadi said. “Removing this provision or making it optional sends a very wrong signal and raises serious concerns about the integrity of future elections.”
Ajadi urged the Senate President and members of the upper chamber to urgently revisit the amendment, insisting that electronic transmission of results should be mandatory. He warned that ambiguity in the Electoral Act could lead to a return to ballot box snatching, result manipulation, and election-related violence.
“The electronic transmission of results must be compulsory for INEC. Lawmakers should support INEC to deliver free, fair, credible, and widely accepted elections,” he stated.
He concluded by calling on the National Assembly to place the will of Nigerians above political interests, stressing that only a clear and unambiguous Electoral Act can ensure that elected leaders truly reflect the choice of the people.
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