Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has rejected claims circulating in the media that the Senate failed to approve real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting that lawmakers endorsed the measure and that reports to the contrary misrepresent the chamber’s decision.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly on Thursday alongside 13 other senators, Abaribe said the Senate clearly approved electronic transmission of results, not merely the “transfer” of results as stated in the 2022 Electoral Act. He stressed that the wording was deliberate and central to the reforms being pursued.
“I am troubled by the reports being published, which is why we are clarifying this. What the Senate passed is electronic transmission of results,” he said.
According to Abaribe, the decision followed months of consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society groups. He said a joint committee of the National Assembly held several retreats with stakeholders, leading both chambers to agree on the adoption of electronic transmission of results.
He added that an ad hoc Senate committee later reviewed the electoral reform report, which was considered during a closed session.
“On my honour, all senators present agreed to electronic transmission of results in real time. The same position was affirmed during plenary,” he said.
Abaribe explained that the controversy emerged during plenary, despite confirmation by the Senate President that electronic transmission had been approved. He noted that the Senate has yet to adopt its Votes and Proceedings, a procedural step required before a conference committee can meet to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill.
“There is still one more step before harmonisation can begin. Senators across party lines support this position,” he said.
Also speaking, Senator Aliyu Ningi said the legislative process began in 2024 and involved extensive deliberations, including over 27 committee sessions.
“It is painful to see public opinion being driven in the wrong direction after so much work has gone into this,” Ningi said.
Both senators maintained that the legislative process remains ongoing and that no final harmonisation can occur until all procedural requirements are completed.
On the choice of language, Abaribe said the Senate preferred “transmission” over “transfer” to avoid ambiguity.
“The 2022 Act uses ‘transfer.’ We want clarity in the law. What we passed is electronic ‘transmission’ of results,” he said.
However, during clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate replaced “transmission” with “transfer,” aligning the amendment with the wording of the existing law. The move, proposed by the Senate Chief Whip and seconded by the Deputy Senate President, was immediately adopted.
Senate Chief Whip Tahir Mongunu argued for retaining the original term in the statute, a position supported by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to affirm the decision by striking the gavel.
