Electoral Act Amendment will end candidate imposition, improve credible polls - Ondo APC chieftain
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Olumuyiwa Adu, has declared that the new ‘Electoral Law’ signed by President Bola Tinubu will enhance transparency in
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Olumuyiwa Adu, has declared that the new 'Electoral Law' signed by President Bola Tinubu will enhance transparency in the country's electoral process and also promote internal democracy within the political parties.
According to Adu, the provision allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically or manually provides a necessary safeguard against possible technological challenges.
Last week, President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment Bill 2026) into law, despite agitations from Nigerians over a controversial clause that makes electronic transmission of election results optional.
Speaking to journalists in Akure during a chat on Sunday, Adu explained that concerns over poor internet connectivity in some parts of the country made it important for the law to accommodate alternatives.
"There are two issues here. The issue of how INEC will conduct that. There were objectives in that aspect. People are considering what may happen if, for any reason whatsoever, our internet system cannot support INEC.
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"There must be some form of exception to that, which was exactly what I saw being provided for in that particular law. It shouldn’t be a problem if we are really sincere with this country," he said.
Adu, a senatorial aspirant eyeing the Ondo Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, stressed that results declared at polling units remain valid evidence, regardless of the mode of transmission.
"From that polling unit, you have the result of what you saw there. Whether it is sent electronically or manually, as long as you have it, you can still challenge it in court," the APC chieftain explained.
Speaking further, Adu strongly backed the adoption of direct primaries by political parties, arguing that the system would end the imposition of candidates by a few influential individuals.
He criticised the old delegate-based system, saying it allowed party leaders to handpick candidates without broader member participation.
"Why must you impose some people on others through a few individuals? That is what was done in the past. You appoint delegates appointed by some leaders to go and select candidates for thousands or millions of people. It is very wrong,” he said.
Adu maintained that direct primaries would give every registered party member a voice in the selection process.
"Now, if you are a member of a political party and you carry a card identifying you as such, you can come out and join others to choose who should be your candidate in an election. That is perfectly in order. I don’t think anybody should oppose that. I believe we are making progress democratically and politically."
"Why must you impose on some people through a few individuals? That is what was done in the past. You appoint delegates appointed by some leaders to go and select candidates for thousands or millions of people. It is very wrong," he said.
Recall that Tinubu assented to the bill during a brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa attended by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen.
During the ceremony, the president expressed concerns about Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure and technical capacity to support real-time electronic transmission nationwide.
The amendment has sparked debate among opposition parties and civil society groups, especially following allegations of result manipulation during previous elections.
The controversy has intensified after INEC released the timetable for the 2027 general elections, with some stakeholders questioning the timing of the changes.
