Real-time electronic transmission of results no longer optional but essential – Adebayo tells Senate

Following the Senate’s decision to exclude electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act amendment, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said real-time electronic transmission of results is no longer optional but essential.

Speaking in a media interview, Adebayo accused the Senate leadership of betraying the will of Nigerians and deliberately undermining the prospects of free and fair elections.

He dismissed comments by Senate President Godswill Akpabio suggesting that public outrage over the decision was premature, describing the remark as “highly irresponsible.”

Adebayo said. “The provision for electronic transmission was already there. Once you show the intention not to listen to the aspirations of the people, Nigerians have a right to react.”

The 2023 SDP presidential candidate warned that Senators occupy the Senate chamber only by the mandate of the Nigerian people and risk losing legitimacy if they act contrary to public interest, saying “If you want to serve somebody’s personal interest, do it in your private capacity. Not at a time when we are trying to pass one of the most important amendments of our generation.”

He stressed that his position was rooted in love for the country, not chaos, saying “I don’t mind contesting an election that is free and fair and losing. I will salute the winner. But anyone dancing around electronic transmission has shown clearly that they do not want a free and fair election.”

Meanwhile, Adebayo welcomed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s recognition of the Sadiq Gombe–led leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), describing it as a victory for the rule of law.

“The recognition is good for INEC,” he said, noting that the commission had previously interfered in the party’s internal affairs. “It is the same executive we had then that we still have now.”

He clarified that internal disciplinary actions within the party including a voluntary resignation and the removal of two suspended officials were never INEC’s concern.