El-Rufai Points Finger at Akpabio Over Election Results Transmission Impasse
Former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has publicly identified Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the primary obstacle preventing the implementation of real-time electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria. During a candid interview on Trust TV's 30 Minutes program aired on Monday, February 9, 2026, the prominent political figure made startling allegations about deliberate efforts to undermine electoral transparency.
Senate President Accused of Deliberate Frustration
El-Rufai, who now serves as a chieftain of the coalition-led African Democratic Congress (ADC), asserted that Akpabio is intentionally frustrating the inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission provisions in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment. "Let us be clear, it is not the senators that are the problem. Akpabio is the problem," El-Rufai declared during the televised interview.
The former governor revealed that while most senators actually support the electronic transmission provision already passed by the House of Representatives, Akpabio's opposition has created a significant legislative bottleneck. This development comes amid growing public demand for electoral reforms that would enhance the credibility of Nigeria's democratic processes.
Collation Centers Identified as Rigging Hubs
According to El-Rufai, the resistance to electronic transmission is strategically designed to preserve manipulation opportunities at collation centers. "The collation centers are the real hub of election rigging," he emphasized, suggesting that electoral malpractice occurs primarily during the aggregation of results rather than at individual polling units.
The ADC chieftain argued that the refusal to implement mandatory electronic transmission directly benefits the sitting government by maintaining opaque processes that can be exploited. He specifically accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration of fearing credible election processes that would emerge from transparent result transmission mechanisms.
Call for Legislative Preparedness Against Potential Veto
El-Rufai also addressed concerns about possible presidential refusal to assent to the amended Electoral Act bill. He urged the National Assembly to prepare for constitutional measures should such a scenario unfold. "If the president withholds assent, it will come back to the National Assembly, and they will override it with two-thirds. This is about their own political survival and the survival of democracy," he stated emphatically.
The former governor's comments come against the backdrop of recent protests led by Peter Obi demanding the restoration of real-time result transmission provisions. El-Rufai referenced these demonstrations while explaining his own position on electoral reforms, though he clarified that he did not personally join the protests.
Background of Political Rifts and Governance Philosophies
This latest controversy follows El-Rufai's previous revelations about his relationship with President Tinubu. The former governor had earlier explained that their fallout stemmed from conflicting governance philosophies rather than personal animosity. He disclosed rejecting a ministerial position offered by President Tinubu because their fundamental approaches to governance were incompatible.
El-Rufai emphasized that his previous support for Tinubu was based on party loyalty rather than personal friendship, stating clearly that they never had a personal relationship. This context adds depth to his current criticisms of the administration's approach to electoral reforms.
The ongoing debate about electronic transmission of election results continues to dominate political discourse as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. Various stakeholders have expressed concerns that without transparent result transmission mechanisms, the integrity of future elections remains compromised.
