Former minister says provision allowing manual results to override electronic transmission could undermine transparency and threaten credibility of the 2027 polls.
Prominent anti‑corruption campaigner Oby Ezekwesili has accused the Senate under President Godswill Akpabio of creating a potential “loophole” in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, which she claims could be used to manipulate the 2027 general elections.
Ezekwesili raised her concerns in a public statement, saying that recent amendments to the bill on electronic transmission of election results weaken transparency and open the door for manual result sheets to override electronically transmitted outcomes. According to her, this could undermine the credibility of election results and create opportunities for manipulation.
She explained that while electronic transmission of results was included in the amended bill, the Senate’s version allows manual results to take precedence if electronic transmission fails — a condition she described as a “loophole that could be exploited.” She urged lawmakers to revisit the provision to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Senate leadership, led by Godswill Akpabio, has defended the changes. They argue that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must determine the method of transmission and that network challenges in parts of the country justify fallback to manual result sheets. The Senate maintains that the amendment aims to balance technology with practical realities on election day.
Civil society groups and election observers have joined the debate, arguing that weakening the requirement for electronic transmission could reduce transparency and public confidence in election outcomes. Critics emphasize that electronic result uploads are essential for curbing vote‑rigging and ensuring accuracy.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the controversy over the Electoral Act amendment highlights ongoing debates about how to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic processes. The outcome of this dispute could influence how election results are transmitted and verified nationwide.
