NLC Warns Akpabio over Electronic Transmission

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warn the senate of Nigeria to “restore legislative credibility” with regards to the real-time transmission of election results in the Electoral Act 2022 amendment.

The amendment aimed at making the electronic transmission of election results mandatory is being begrudged by the Godswill Akpabio-led senate which opts to leave the provision for INEC to decide the mode of collating election results without any legal encumberance.

The statement reads:

PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 8, 2026

THE SENATE MUST COME CLEAN NOW: ELECTORAL INTEGRITY AT STAKE!

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expresses deep concern over the confusion and contradictory narratives emerging from the Senate regarding the amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly on electronic transmission of results. This lack of clarity undermines public trust and is deeply troubling for our democracy. The Nigerian people deserve a transparent electoral process where their votes are not only counted but seen to be counted. We urge the Senate to provide an immediate, official, and unambiguous account of its proceedings and final decisions.

Public records suggest the proposed amendment to mandate INEC to transmit results electronically in real-time was not adopted, with the existing discretionary provision retained. This has generated nationwide apprehension, and subsequent explanations have only added to the confusion. At a critical juncture following the 2023 elections, such legislative ambiguity risks institutionalising doubt at the heart of our electoral integrity and echoes past controversies that have caused national distress.

Therefore, the NLC demands immediate clarity and transparency. The Senate must issue a definitive statement on the exact provisions passed, clarifying the final wording and rationale. The National Assembly leadership must also ensure the harmonisation process produces a final bill with crystal-clear provisions; any ambiguity in the transmission and collation of results is a disservice to our democracy.

We call on the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring its processes are transparent and its outcomes clear. The amended Act must provide an unambiguous mandate for INEC to electronically transmit and collate results from polling units in real-time. The path to the 2027 elections must be built on certainty, not confusion.

President: JOSEPH AJAERO General Secretary: EMMANUEL UGBOAJA, mni Treasurer: ALIYU HARUNA KANKARA