…more than two-thirds of senators favoured real-time electronic transmission
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Senate was thrown into division on Thursday as 13 leading opposition lawmakers disputed reports that the upper chamber had rejected mandatory electronic transmission of election results during the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026.
The controversy followed widespread reports that the Senate, during its clause-by-clause consideration of the bill on Wednesday, removed provisions making real-time electronic transmission of results compulsory.
Reacting to the development, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Abdul Ningi and 10 others insisted that the Senate had not concluded deliberations on the contentious clause and maintained their support for mandatory electronic transmission of results.
The senators said they stood firmly by the proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of the bill, which provides for real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) portal, stressing that the provision would be monitored through the legislative process until presidential assent.
According to them, more than two-thirds of senators favoured real-time electronic transmission and the matter remained unresolved, contrary to reports suggesting it had been rejected.
Speaking in Abuja during a press briefing led by Senator Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), the senators disclosed that the Senate had yet to reconvene to formally adopt the votes and proceedings of the plenary session, noting that one final legislative step remained.
They expressed concern over the backlash generated by reports of the Senate’s alleged rejection of electronic transmission of results as contained in Clause 60(3) of the 2026 Electoral Act amendment.
Clause 60(3), as captured on page 45 of the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, states that presiding officers shall electronically transmit polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time after the prescribed Form EC8A has been duly signed and stamped.
During the plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that Clause 60 had been adopted “as amended,” a statement that triggered widespread interpretation that the provision on mandatory electronic transmission had been dropped.
However, Abaribe, backed by 12 other senators, clarified that the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results, insisting that lawmakers across party lines would ensure the provision survives the legislative process.
“To set the record straight, the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results,” Abaribe said. “What was passed aligns with electronic transmission, as clarified by the Senate President himself.”
Other senators at the briefing included Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), Austin Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central), Peter Jiya (PDP, Niger South), Ireti Kingibe (ADC, FCT), Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), Binos Yaroe (PDP, Adamawa South), Kabeeb Mustapha (PDP, Jigawa South West), Khalid Mustapha (PDP, Kaduna North), Mohammed Onawo (ADC, Nasarawa South), Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North) and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central).
Abaribe further explained that joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives held several retreats on the amendment bill, where consensus was reached in favour of electronic transmission of results.
He added that the agreement was reflected in both chambers’ committee reports and reaffirmed during the Senate’s executive session.
Meanwhile, major opposition political parties have condemned the Senate’s reported rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of results, warning that it could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a joint statement, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) described the development as retrogressive and capable of eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
The parties accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the National Assembly, of attempting to preserve loopholes in the electoral system for political advantage.
They urged the conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position in favour of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also criticised the Senate’s stance.
Obi described the alleged rejection as an “unforgivable act of electoral manipulation,” warning that it threatens the foundation of credible elections in Nigeria.
He said the failure to entrench electronic transmission would deepen electoral disputes and reverse democratic gains, urging lawmakers to prioritise the future of the country over partisan interests.
