Lawmaker Accuses Ruling Party of Undermining Election Integrity Amid House Clash
A sharp division within Nigeria’s House of Representatives has emerged over proposed changes to election result transmission, with a federal lawmaker from Oyo State accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of acting against national democratic interests.
The confrontation unfolded on Tuesday during plenary sessions, where proceedings became disorderly following debate on a motion to rescind the recently passed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. A key point of contention is the National Assembly’s decision to retain the manual transmission of election results, reversing an earlier provision for electronic transmission. This move has sparked intense debate about transparency and credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. Anthony Adepoju, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Character Commission, criticised the APC’s stance. Speaking in an interview monitored by Arise Television, Adepoju stated that the party’s actions were contrary to the will of Nigerians seeking trustworthy elections.
“What played out in the National Assembly is the APC trying to go against what Nigerians want. It was definitely not bi-partisan,” Adepoju said. He described the development as a significant setback for democratic progress since the return to civil rule in 1999, warning that undermining election integrity risks free and fair polls. “We want Nigeria to have trust in our democracy and elect the leaders that they want,” he added.
The chaotic session pitted APC lawmakers against opposition members, highlighting deep political rifts over electoral reforms. The debate centres on whether results should be transmitted electronically—a method the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says enhances transparency—or manually, which critics argue increases vulnerability to manipulation.
This legislative clash follows years of debate on electoral amendments. The 2022 Electoral Act had initially introduced electronic transmission but was later amended by the National Assembly to restrict it, citing security and infrastructure concerns. The current effort to rescind that amendment has reopened these contentious issues.
Adepoju’s criticism underscores the high stakes surrounding Nigeria’s electoral framework. As the nation prepares for future elections, the discord in the House raises questions about the durability of bipartisan consensus on democratic reforms. The outcome of this legislative tussle is likely to influence public confidence in the electoral process and INEC’s operational independence.
Analysts note that the prolonged debate reflects broader political tensions and could signal a challenging path for any further amendments. The episode serves as a critical test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions, with observers watching how legislative disagreements translate intoExecutable electoral policies.
