The Digest:
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the Senate's approval of electronic election results transmission with a manual fallback clause, calling for opposition parties to unite against it. Speaking in Minna after meeting former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, Abubakar stated that the hybrid system would cause "more confusion or chaos" compared to a mandatory real-time electronic process. He urged opposition parties not to let the matter rest and to collectively demand real-time transmission. When asked about a potential 2027 presidential run, Abubakar said his current focus within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is on mobilising and strengthening the party's structures nationwide.
Key Points:
- This stance amplifies a key public concern over the integrity and transparency of future elections.
- It frames the legislative issue as having direct consequences for democratic trust and political stability.
- Opposition parties are positioned to gain credibility by championing this cause, while proponents of the clause face increased scrutiny.
- The criticism signals significant political friction and a lack of consensus on a fundamental electoral reform.
- Speaking out now builds political capital and sets a marker for the opposition ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
The call to action places the onus on opposition parties to form a cohesive strategy to challenge the Senate's decision during the bill's harmonization.
Sources: TheCable, Premium Times
