Senate President Branded Enemy of Democracy Over Election Results

A leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Emeka Okonkwo, has called for the removal of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, labeling him “an enemy of democracy” following the Senate’s rejection of a provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results.

Okonkwo, a veteran Nollywood actor turned politician, made the statement during an interview on the programme ‘Inside Sources’ on Sunday. His direct demand that Akpabio resign or be removed stems from the Senate’s vote on Wednesday against incorporating compulsory electronic transmission into the Electoral Act amendment. The rejected clause, 60(3), would have mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically.

The ADC chieftain anchored his accusation on a prior ruling by the Supreme Court. He quoted Justice Abba Aji as stating that opposing electronic transmission in a modern, high-tech era “is to be an enemy of democracy and to stick to the vicious cycle of election rigging, manipulation and falsification.” Okonkwo asserted that by opposing the amendment, Akpabio is aligning with this described stance, thereby perpetuating electoral malpractices.

This controversy highlights a pivotal debate within Nigeria’s legislative process concerning electoral modernization. Proponents of electronic transmission argue it enhances transparency and reduces opportunities for result manipulation, a persistent concern in the nation’s electoral history. The Senate’s decision maintains the existing framework, which allows for manual transmission and has been criticized for its vulnerability.

The statement from Okonkwo, a notable figure in the opposition, intensifies political pressure on the Senate leadership. It frames a procedural legislative vote as a fundamental democratic issue, connecting it directly to the integrity of future elections. The exchange underscores the high stakes of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its electoral laws amid technological advancements and demands for credible polls.