No network in Nine States, Akpabio defends Senate’s rejection of real-time results transmission

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended the National Assembly’s decision to reject mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, claiming that at least nine states in Nigeria currently lack network coverage due to insecurity.

The Senate last week removed the provision mandating real-time electronic transmission from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, a move that sparked nationwide criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Speaking on Saturday at the public presentation of a book titled The Burdens of Legislators in Nigeria, written by former senator Effiong Bob, Akpabio dismissed the criticisms, insisting that INEC — not the Senate — is responsible for determining election modalities.

According to the Senate president, making real-time electronic transmission compulsory would disenfranchise voters in areas affected by insecurity and poor telecommunications infrastructure.

“Real-time transmission means that in over nine states where networks are not working because of insecurity, there will be no election results,” Akpabio said.

“Nationally, it also means that if the national grid collapses and no network is working, no election results will be valid.”

Akpabio further criticised some of the public commentators opposing the Senate’s decision, arguing that many lack an understanding of the lawmaking process.

“You see them talking. We even have a young man from Akwa Ibom who is publicity secretary to one of the parties. When you hear him talk, you will think he knows everything. He doesn’t know anything about lawmaking,” he said.

The Senate president stressed that the legislature’s role is limited to making laws, while the responsibility for deploying technology during elections rests solely with INEC.

“The Senate does not conduct elections. We don’t deploy technology; we only make laws, and INEC must apply the law,” he stated.

He added that decisions on election timing, scope and technological deployment fall within INEC’s discretion, provided they operate within the legal framework established by the National Assembly and interpreted by the Supreme Court.

“The timing, scope and modality rest with INEC, acting within the framework of the law enacted by parliament and interpreted by the Supreme Court,” Akpabio said.

The Senate’s stance continues to draw strong reactions as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with critics warning that retaining discretionary electronic transmission could weaken electoral transparency.

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