Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged opposition political parties to come together and advocate for a transparent and credible electoral process, emphasizing the need for a fully electronic transmission system to enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s elections. In a statement made at a press briefing in Minna, Niger State, Atiku warned that the current practice of mixing electronic and manual transmission of results would likely introduce confusion and inefficiencies into the electoral process, undermining public confidence.
The call for a unified approach comes in the wake of recent developments in the Nigerian Senate, where the upper chamber approved the amended Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act. This amendment allows the transmission of results electronically, but with manual collation as a backup in case of technological failure. Atiku, speaking after a closed-door meeting with former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida, criticized this approach, describing it as insufficient for ensuring a fully transparent election.
He further expressed his dissatisfaction with the Senate’s decision to stop short of making electronic transmission compulsory, pointing out that the continued reliance on manual collation could lead to a repeat of the challenges observed in past elections. “The expectations of Nigerians are clear—they want a real-time, fully electronic transmission of results. The mixed system we have now will only cause more confusion and delay, potentially leading to chaos at the polling units and the collation centers,” Atiku said.
The issue of electoral transparency has remained a critical concern for Nigerian voters, especially following the 2023 general elections, which were marred by controversies surrounding the transmission and collation of results. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially introduced plans for real-time electronic transmission of election results, which was widely hailed as a step toward a more transparent voting process. However, this plan faced setbacks as the lawmaker’s decision to retain manual collation as a backup option undermined this effort.
Atiku further underscored that the fragmented transmission system, which combines electronic and manual methods, is a compromise that does not fully align with the goal of achieving a transparent electoral system. “We should not let the issue rest where the Senate wants it to,” he stated. “We need a single-tier, real-time electronic transmission system that is free from the possibility of manipulation.”
On the matter of his political future and the 2027 presidential election, Atiku, who is also a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was cautious. He clarified that his visit to Minna was not linked to his presidential ambitions, but rather a gesture of respect and collaboration with former leaders. While his presence sparked discussions regarding his potential candidacy for the 2027 election, Atiku emphasized that his current focus was on strengthening the ADC and building its structures from the grassroots level. He noted, “The issue of contesting the 2027 election does not arise now. We are building a strong foundation at the ward, local government, and state levels.”
Atiku’s comments also addressed the issue of zoning within political parties, specifically the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which does not have zoning provisions in its constitution. In contrast, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoning as a core principle in its party structure.
The remarks from Atiku come amid a broader debate over the ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly after the Senate’s emergency plenary session on the issue. The Senate’s approval to keep manual collation in case of technological failure contrasts with the initial push for a fully digital election system. Despite this, the National Assembly has continued to refine the framework to ensure greater transparency in the election process, though it remains to be seen how the full implementation of these changes will unfold in practice.
