PDP Chieftain Reacts to Senate's Alleged Removal of Compulsory E-Election Results Transmission
Published 6 Feb 2026 at 6:26 PM by Bada Yusuf
A prominent gubernatorial aspirant representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has issued a strong condemnation of the Senate's recent decision to eliminate the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act. In a press statement released to journalists on Friday in Ibadan, Oguntoyinbo described this legislative move as a calculated attempt to undermine the credibility of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
A Dangerous Step Backward for Democracy
According to the PDP chieftain, the Senate's rejection of provisions that would allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results directly from polling units represents a dangerous regression for Nigeria's democratic processes. He warned that this action could potentially reopen the door to widespread electoral malpractice, eroding public trust in the electoral system that has been gradually built over recent years.
"Nigerians are deeply uncomfortable with the rejection of electronic transmission of results by the Senate," Ajadi stated emphatically. "Removing this provision from the Electoral Act or making it optional sends a very wrong signal and raises serious concerns about the integrity of future elections."
Call for Urgent Legislative Reconsideration
The PDP aspirant further called upon the Senate President and all lawmakers to urgently revisit this controversial amendment. He insisted that electronic transmission of results should remain mandatory rather than discretionary, arguing that anything less would create dangerous loopholes that could be exploited to manipulate election outcomes.
"The Electronic Transmission of Results must be compulsory for INEC," Ajadi declared. "The alleged decision of the Senate is not only ambiguous, it is dragging Nigeria back into the stone ages of electoral administration."
Potential Consequences of Legislative Ambiguity
Ambassador Oguntoyinbo expressed grave concerns that allowing ambiguity in the Electoral Act could lead to a return to Nigeria's troubled electoral past, characterized by:
- Ballot box snatching incidents
- Widespread result manipulation
- Violence at polling units
- Questionable election outcomes
"We do not want ambiguity," he emphasized. "Election results must be electronically transmitted directly from polling units across the country. Lawmakers should be supporting INEC to deliver free, fair, credible, and widely accepted elections."
Prioritizing National Interest Over Politics
In his concluding remarks, the PDP chieftain urged the National Assembly to prioritize the will of the Nigerian people over narrow political interests. He noted that only a clear and unambiguous Electoral Act can guarantee that those who emerge as leaders are truly elected by the electorate through transparent processes.
"The Senate must ensure that Nigeria is governed by leaders duly chosen by the electorate," Ajadi asserted. "This can only be achieved by tidying up the Electoral Act and removing every form of uncertainty from its provisions. The integrity of our democracy depends on transparent electoral processes that leave no room for manipulation or doubt."
The controversy surrounding the Senate's decision continues to generate significant political discourse across Nigeria, with many stakeholders expressing concerns about potential implications for the country's democratic development and electoral credibility in the crucial 2027 general elections.
