ABUJA — In a dramatic moment on the Senate floor, 15 lawmakers broke ranks to vote in favour of a mandatory real-time transmission clause in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process — a move widely interpreted as a bold stand for deeper transparency in Nigeria’s elections.
The clause, which seeks to make electronic transmission of results compulsory, sparked intense debate before the vote was taken.
The Senators Who Voted “Yes”
The 15 senators who supported the mandatory real-time transmission provision are:
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central)
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 (ADC, Anambra North)
Victor Umeh (ADC, 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)
Transparency at the Centre of Debate.
The real-time transmission clause has been one of the most contentious provisions in the amendment process, with advocates arguing that compulsory electronic transmission would enhance transparency, reduce disputes, and strengthen public trust in election outcomes.
Supporters insist that in an era driven by technology, electoral systems must evolve to meet citizens’ expectations of speed, accuracy, and openness.
Critics, however, have expressed concerns about technical capacity, infrastructure reliability, and potential operational challenges in remote areas.
A Defining Legislative Moment
Political observers say the vote marks a defining moment in Nigeria’s electoral reform debate, highlighting cross-party alignments and individual legislative convictions.
Though the final fate of the clause rests on broader legislative and executive processes, the 15 senators’ stance has already ignited public conversation about accountability, technology, and the future of Nigeria’s democratic process.
As electoral reforms continue to shape the nation’s political landscape, the demand for credible, transparent, and technologically driven elections remains firmly at the centre of national discourse.
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