TDNigerians have expressed alarm that none of the senator from the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) voted in favour of the mandatory real‑time transmission of election results deliberated yesterday.
Fifteen senators voted for a bill mandating real‑time electronic transmission of election results with no manual transfer clause.
Notably, none of the senators who supported the measure are members of the APC, a fact that has intensified partisan debate and public reaction.
The Vote and Its Significance
The measure removes statutory allowance for manual fallback.
It requires the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically from polling units to collation centres and the public portal in real time.
Supporters say the law will curb manipulation and increase transparency.
Critics warn that mandating transmission without exhaustive technical and cybersecurity safeguards could create new vulnerabilities.
The Senators Who Voted for Mandatory Real-Time Transmission
Fifteen senators stood firmly in support of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, rejecting any clause that allows manual transfer.
Their votes mark a significant push for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The lawmakers who voted for mandatory real-time transmission are:
- Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South)
- Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central)
- Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South)
- Ireti Kingibe (ADC, FCT)
- Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West)
- Onawo Ogwoshi (ADC, Nasarawa South)
- Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North)
- Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central)
- Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe Central)
- Austin Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central)
- Khalid Mustapha (PDP, Kaduna North)
- Sikayo Yaro (PDP, Gombe South)
- Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South)
- Peter Jiya (PDP, Niger South)
- Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central)
Reactions and Public Response
Social media erupted after the vote, with many users celebrating the senators as defenders of electoral integrity and others accusing the APC of blocking reform.
The decision has sparked widespread reactions online and across political circles.
Supporters hailed the senators as defenders of democracy, insisting that real-time transmission is the only way to ensure credibility in Nigeria’s elections.
Commentators noted the geographic and party spread of the “yes” votes.
They highlighted the absence of any APC senator among the supporters as politically significant.
Civic Groups Weigh In
Civic groups urged rapid, transparent implementation with independent audits.
Meanwhile, technologists stressed the need for nationwide testing, contingency protocols, and robust cybersecurity measures before any legal mandate takes effect.
One commentator described the vote as “a bold stand against manipulation,” while others argued that the move will restore public confidence in the electoral process.
Another commentator said: “All APC governors should be treated as enemies of Nigerians henceforth.”
On social media, many Nigerians praised the senators for “choosing the people over politics,” noting that their stance could set a precedent for future reforms.
Critics of manual transmission insist that it has historically been the loophole through which election results are altered.
Implications
- Political Rift: The vote deepens partisan narratives about who is willing to back technological fixes for electoral transparency and who resists them.
- Technical: Lawmakers and INEC must now confront questions about device procurement, network coverage, power reliability, and cyber‑defence.
- Legal: Removing a manual‑transfer clause tightens the legal obligation on INEC but raises dispute‑resolution and contingency concerns if transmissions fail.
- Transparency: Real-time transmission is expected to reduce opportunities for tampering with results.
- Public Trust: The move could strengthen confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- Political Pressure: Other lawmakers may now face mounting pressure from constituents to align with reforms that prioritize credibility.
This vote represents a turning point in Nigeria’s electoral reform debate, with these 15 senators emerging as champions of transparency.
