A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has described Senate President Godswill Akpabio as an enemy of democracy over the Senate’s rejection of compulsory electronic transmission of election results.
Okonkwo made the remarks on Sunday during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande. The lawyer and Nollywood veteran-turned-politician said Akpabio should resign honourably or be removed from office if he fails to do so.
His comments followed the Senate’s decision to reject a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which sought to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory. Lawmakers voted against the provision, effectively retaining the existing framework.
Citing a Supreme Court pronouncement by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim (popularly referenced by Okonkwo as Justice Abba Aji), Okonkwo argued that resisting technological advancement in elections undermines democratic integrity. According to him, the apex court had emphasized that modern technology cannot be ignored and that failure to adopt electronic transmission encourages electoral malpractice.
“Modernity and technology stare us in the face, and we cannot turn back the hand of time,” Okonkwo said, quoting the Supreme Court. He added that opposing electronic transmission in a high-tech era amounts to sustaining a vicious cycle of election rigging, manipulation, and falsification.
Okonkwo maintained that by supporting the rejection of mandatory electronic transmission, the Senate leadership was acting contrary to democratic principles. He accused Akpabio of perpetuating practices that weaken electoral credibility.
“What it means is that Senator Godswill Akpabio has become an enemy of democracy,” he said, insisting that the Senate President should step down or face removal.
The development has intensified debate over electoral reforms and the role of technology in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
