Fresh revelations have sparked outrage after reports emerged that three influential senators from Southern Nigeria allegedly played a key role in blocking real-time electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversial move reportedly happened during the Senate’s consideration of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, a bill widely expected to strengthen transparency and restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
What the Bill Originally Promised
At the heart of the controversy was Clause 60(3) of the proposed amendment, which sought to make it mandatory for INEC officials to upload polling unit results to the IReV portal immediately after voting.
The proposal was not random.
It was recommended by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong, after months of consultations with INEC, civil society groups, and election stakeholders nationwide.
Sources say the amendment enjoyed strong early support — including approval during a closed Senate session and endorsement by an ad-hoc committee led by Senator Niyi Adegbonmire after over a year of deliberations.
Public hearings across the country reportedly showed overwhelming agreement that real-time transmission should be clearly stated in law to prevent a repeat of the controversies seen in the 2023 elections.
How Things Changed at the Last Minute
However, things reportedly took a dramatic turn during clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.
As plenary dragged late into the evening, insiders claim three senior senators from the southern region quietly intervened, approaching Senate President Godswill Akpabio and urging him to retain the wording of the 2022 Electoral Act instead.
Akpabio allegedly agreed.
Without reopening debate on the Senate floor, the phrase “real-time electronic transmission” was removed and replaced with the single word “transfer.”
Why That One Word Matters
Under the rejected amendment, INEC officials would have been legally required to upload results to IReV immediately after Form EC8A was signed and stamped.
But the version passed by the Senate now states that presiding officers shall “transfer” results in a manner determined by INEC, effectively leaving the timing and method at the commission’s discretion — just as it was under the 2022 law.
Critics say this loophole weakens accountability and opens the door to manipulation.
Senate Schedules Emergency Sitting After Backlash
Following intense public criticism, the Senate has announced an emergency plenary session scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at noon.
The notice, signed by the Clerk of the Senate on Akpabio’s directive, did not specify the reason. However, parliamentary sources say the emergency sitting is directly linked to the controversy surrounding Clause 60(3).
According to insiders, the Senate must formally adopt its votes and proceedings to confirm what was actually approved before the conference committee can harmonise the bill with the House of Representatives’ version.
Other Quiet Changes That Raised Eyebrows
Beyond electronic transmission, lawmakers also made several notable revisions:
Stricter penalties for vote trading — including fines of up to ₦5 million and a 10-year election ban — were removed
INEC’s election notice period was reduced from 360 days to 180 days
Political parties’ deadline to submit candidates’ lists was cut from 180 days to 90 days
BVAS was retained, but electronic voter identification was rejected, keeping PVCs as the only valid ID
A clause that would have simplified court proof of election malpractice using documents alone was removed over fears of overwhelming the judiciary
The Bigger Picture
With public trust in elections already fragile, critics argue that removing real-time electronic transmission sends the wrong signal — especially so close to the 2027 polls.
For now, Nigerians are left watching closely as the Senate prepares to revisit a decision many believe could shape the credibility of the next general election.
And once again, one word — “transfer” — has become the center of a national storm 👀🔥
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