The former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, says he would have participated in the protest led by Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, at the national assembly complex over the rejection of real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Obi had on Monday led protesters to the national assembly complex in Abuja following the senate’s decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of results.
The protest drew participation from student groups, civil society organisations, some members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Obidient Movement, a support group for Obi.
Speaking during an interview on Trust Television, el-Rufai explained that his absence from the protest was due to his being outside the country at the time.
The former governor said real-time transmission of results remains the only effective way to curb “the manipulation that goes on in the collation centres” during elections.
“That is where the real rigging takes place,” he said.
According to el-Rufai, the controversial clause in the Electoral Act amendment bill — which was approved by the house of representatives but rejected by the senate — would have significantly improved the credibility of elections in Nigeria.
He alleged that the ruling party and the current administration would oppose real-time transmission of results, claiming that their path to victory depends on altering results after votes have been cast.
El-Rufai, a two-time former governor, also spoke on the efforts of the ADC to mobilise Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We are mobilising at that level. And at the top level, we are preparing,” he said.
“We are working on our manifesto, on our platform, and we are working on getting all our presidential aspirants, governorship aspirants, and other aspirants to come together and agree to a consensus that will have free and fair primaries, will not have zoning, and will not have any of that.”
He added that the party does not intend to impose candidates or compel aspirants to withdraw.
“Everyone will be given the opportunity to contest, and whoever wins will be supported by all,” he said.
“This is what we’ve been working on, on two layers that I can relate and tell you about.”
Background
On February 4, the senate passed the Electoral Act amendment bill after a five-hour clause-by-clause consideration.
One of the changes reduced the period for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.
The senate, however, rejected real-time electronic transmission of results, while retaining the provision for electronic transfer of results as contained in the Electoral Act 2022.
The decision triggered widespread backlash on social media.
Central to the controversy is clause 60(3) of the amendment bill.
The proposed amendment states: “The presiding officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IREV portal in real time, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling unit agents, where available at the polling unit.”
The proposal sought to make electronic transmission mandatory, ensure it is done in real time, and link it directly to IReV.
However, the senate rejected the clause and instead adopted section 60(5) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the presiding officer to transmit results, including the total number of accredited voters and ballot outcomes, “in a manner as prescribed by the commission”.
In a notice, Emmanuel Odo, clerk of the senate, said the sitting was held on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The development has continued to spark public outrage, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) threatening mass action.