- Tinubu Expected To Sign Amended Electoral Act In February – Akpabio
- Protests continue over removal of real time electronic transmission clause.
- Sowore accused political elites of undermining electoral transparency.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said President Bola Tinubu is expected to sign the amended Electoral Act into law in February, despite growing public opposition and nationwide protests over the removal of the phrase real time from provisions on electronic transmission of election results.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Akpabio made the disclosure on Tuesday during Senate plenary while announcing an expansion of the Senate’s conference committee from nine to 12 members to align with the House of Representatives’ delegation.
“We have raised our numbers from nine to twelve to match the figures from our colleagues in the House of Reps. We expect everything to be done in the next few days or in a week. The President is expected to sign this into law in February,” Akpabio said.
His remarks came as protests under the banner of OccupyNASS continued at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, drawing civil society organisations, opposition figures and human rights activists calling for electoral transparency.
Demonstrators have expressed concern over the amendment to the Electoral Act, particularly the removal of real time electronic transmission of election results, which they argue could undermine the credibility of future elections.
Among those at the protest was former presidential candidate and African Action Congress leader, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the political elite of pushing laws that weaken electoral integrity.
“This is an exposition that already existed. It is not new. That is why it is a surprise to everyone that this provision was yanked away from the Electoral Act that Akpabio and his friends are trying to put in place,” Sowore said.
He warned that Nigeria’s political class fears transparent electoral processes that could expose their lack of popular support.
“These people cannot win in free and fair elections. But the people have a duty to demand processes that guarantee free, legal and transparent elections,” he added.
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