Opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly have strongly criticised the amendment of the Electoral Act, accusing the legislature of betraying Nigerians by failing to make electronic transmission of election results to the IReV mandatory.
The lawmakers expressed outrage over the decision to retain manual transmission as an option, arguing that Nigerians had hoped for real-time electronic transmission to guarantee transparency and restore confidence in the electoral process. They described the move as a setback to democratic credibility.
Reacting to the development, former Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, advised Nigerians to focus on protecting their votes ahead of the 2027 general elections. He urged citizens to ensure the deployment of well-trained, motivated party agents at polling units to resist electoral manipulation.
According to Abaribe, Nigerians have the capacity to defeat rigging if they remain vigilant and organised at polling stations.
The controversy followed differing positions by the two chambers of the National Assembly. While the House of Representatives initially passed a bill mandating electronic transmission of results, the Senate opted for manual transmission. Public protests later forced an emergency session, resulting in a compromise allowing both electronic and manual transmission in cases of network failure. The harmonised bill was subsequently signed into law by Bola Tinubu.
Opposition lawmakers, however, said the speed of the signing raised concerns about whether Nigerians’ fears were adequately considered. Speaking for the Labour Party caucus, Hon. Afam Ogene said the episode exposed a growing gap between campaign promises and actions in power.
Other opposition figures, including members of the Minority Caucus and APGA lawmakers, warned that clauses allowing manual transmission could enable manipulation. They called on Nigerians to resist electoral malpractice through mass participation and vote protection.
Defending the amendment, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi said the law still recognises the IReV and mandates electronic transmission, with manual transmission only as a fallback. He insisted the process was constitutional, bipartisan, and aimed at strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
Despite assurances, opposition lawmakers maintained that the struggle for credible elections had only just begun.
