Following heavy backlash over recent amendment to di Electoral Act, Senate President Godswill Akpabio don summon emergency sitting of di Senate for Tuesday, February 9, to fast-track action on di controversial Electoral Act Amendments Bill.
At di same time, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) don warn say Senate must clearly mandate INEC to electronically transmit and collate election results in real time, or face mass action.
Statement from di Clerk of di Senate, Emmanuel Odo, direct all senators make dem reconvene by 12 noon for di extraordinary sitting. Though di notice no explain di reason, sources confirm say di meeting na to approve Votes and Proceedings of di last sitting—procedural step wey go allow di conference committee start work on di amendment bill.
A ranking senator confirm say lawmakers don receive circular, add say di sitting fit start with closed-door executive session because tension don rise over di electronic transmission clause.
Meanwhile, many prominent Nigerians don openly reject di Senate decision to refuse mandatory real-time electronic transmission. Dem include former Senate President David Mark, Femi Falana (SAN), Oby Ezekwesili, Pat Utomi, Ayuba Wabba, Usman Bugaje, Bilikisu Magoro, Nkoyo Toyo, Shehu Sanni, Ene Obi, and others.
Speaking at public event for Abuja, David Mark insist say position of ADC and many Nigerians clear: make National Assembly pass di law with real-time transmission, allow INEC decide feasibility.
“No need long grammar. Pass di law and let INEC complain if problem dey,” Mark talk, add say infrastructure excuse dey weaken public trust.
Akpabio, earlier response, urge critics make dem calm down, argue say Nigeria infrastructure—light and internet—still poor for many rural areas and fit affect election outcomes.
Civil society coalition Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) also reject di Senate move, call am “democratic sabotage,” and announce plan for peaceful mass civic action to resist return to manual manipulation. Di group demand immediate reinstatement of mandatory e-transmission and public accountability of lawmakers wey oppose am.
Also, ADC Diaspora Roundtable and YERP-Naija Consortium warn say deleting “real-time” from di law undermine transparency and confidence ahead of 2027 elections, especially among youths.
NLC Threaten Mass Action
For statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero, labour movement say failure to restore real-time electronic transmission go lead to mass action before, during and after elections, or even boycott.
“Nigerians deserve transparent elections where votes no just count but dey seen to count,” NLC talk, demand immediate clarity from Senate on exact provisions passed.
Political watchers say Tuesday emergency sitting fit be turning point, as e go determine direction of electoral reforms and relationship between National Assembly and Nigerians ahead of 2027 polls.
