The political camp of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, known as the Obidient Movement, has warned of potential political crisis following the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act amendment bill.
While the Senate approved the broader Electoral Act amendment, it declined to include a provision mandating electronic transmission of results, a reform widely considered essential for ensuring transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Reacting to the development, spokesperson of the Obidient Movement, Tanko, said the decision reflects the government’s reluctance to allow a transparent election process.
“That shows you that they are not yet ready for credible, free and fair elections,” Tanko said.
He added that the absence of electronic transmission would leave the election system vulnerable to manipulation and fraud, noting that manual collation processes often allow for human interference.
“The major advantage of electronic transmission is that it eliminates human interference in the result collation process, unlike what happens in manual collation centres,” he said.
Tanko also warned that Nigerians should be prepared to resist any attempt to manipulate election results, stressing that the decision signals a broader lack of commitment to democratic ideals.
“So Nigerians should be ready to challenge these elections, headlong in all other preparation for any region,” he said.
He argued that the Senate’s action exposes a broader government attitude toward electoral credibility and transparency.
“This is a pointer to show that this government is not ready for credible, free and fair elections,” Tanko said.
The Obidient Movement further urged Nigerians to prepare for a strong contestation to defend the nation’s democracy, describing the Senate’s decision as a major setback for electoral reforms.
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