Concerns over Nigeria’s electoral transparency have resurfaced following comments by former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, who has criticised the Senate for retaining disputed provisions in the amended Electoral Act.
Reacting to the passage of the bill, Ezekwesili said lawmakers failed to correct legal gaps that contributed to controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections. She argued that the absence of a clear provision mandating electronic transmission of results continues to give the Independent National Electoral Commission excessive discretion.
Speaking during a television interview on Friday, Ezekwesili noted that unclear sections of the law had previously allowed election outcomes to be questioned. According to her, the failure to require real time upload of results from polling units weakened public confidence in the electoral process.
She recalled assurances made by electoral officials before the 2023 polls, particularly to young voters, that technology would be used to ensure transparency. She said those expectations were not met, resulting in widespread doubts about what occurred at polling units across the country.
Ezekwesili stated that many Nigerians supported the amendment of the Electoral Act in the hope that lawmakers would remove all loopholes affecting election credibility. She said the Senate’s decision to retain contested clauses has instead deepened public frustration and mistrust.
The former minister warned that continued disregard for citizens’ concerns could worsen voter apathy, pointing to low turnout in the last general election as evidence of declining confidence in democracy.
She dismissed claims that public criticism of the Senate amounts to incitement, insisting that citizens have the right to demand accountability from their representatives.
Ezekwesili called on lawmakers to urgently revisit the amended law and insert a clear provision mandating the electronic transmission of polling unit results once collation is completed.
According to her, restoring trust in the electoral system requires clarity and transparency, warning that further ambiguity could widen the gap between citizens and those in power.
