Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia South, has insisted that the Senate approved the electronic transmission of election results in real time, dismissing media reports suggesting otherwise and warning that his integrity is at stake over the controversy.
Speaking at a media briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday, Abaribe, who was accompanied by 13 serving senators, said the Senate did not approve the “transfer” of election results as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act, but deliberately passed the electronic transmission of results.
“I am concerned about reports in the media, and that is why we decided to make this clarification. What we passed is electronic transmission of results. I need to make this very clear,” he said.
According to Abaribe, the Senate’s position followed an extensive legislative process involving consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations (CSOs). He said a joint committee of the National Assembly held several retreats with stakeholders, leading to a consensus by both chambers in favour of electronic transmission of results.
He added that the Senate subsequently constituted an ad hoc committee to review the electoral reform report, which was considered during a closed-door session.
“That report was considered during an executive session. I can assure you, on my honour, that during the executive session we all agreed on electronic transmission of results in real time. At plenary yesterday, we also passed it,” Abaribe said.
He said confusion arose during the plenary session, despite confirmation by the Senate President on the floor that electronic transmission of results had been approved.
Abaribe also noted that the legislative process is not yet complete, as the Senate has not adopted the Votes and Proceedings, a procedural requirement before the conference committee can meet to harmonise the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the bill.
“There is still one more step left for the Senate to take. Until the Votes and Proceedings are adopted, the conference committee cannot take place. Either the House or the Senate version has to be adopted. A huge number of senators across party lines are with us,” he said.
Also speaking at the briefing, Aliyu Ningi, representing Bauchi, said the reform process began as far back as 2024 and involved prolonged deliberations.
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“We had about 27 different sessions as a committee. Some of us find this very painful, that public opinion is being pushed in a negative direction despite the work that has been done,” Ningi said.
Both senators stressed that harmonisation between the two chambers cannot occur until all outstanding procedural steps are completed.
Clarifying the dispute over wording, Abaribe said the Senate deliberately opted for the term “transmission” rather than “transfer” to avoid ambiguity in the law.
“What is in the 2022 Act is ‘transfer’. We do not want a law that is vague or ambiguous. What we passed is electronic ‘transmission’ of results,” he said.
However, during clause-by-clause consideration of the amendment, the Senate removed the word “transmission” and replaced it with “transfer,” in line with the existing 2022 Electoral Act. The proposal by the Senate Chief Whip was immediately seconded by the Deputy Senate President and adopted.
