By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Senate Minority Caucus has stepped in to halt what it described as a dangerous misreading of parliamentary proceedings, insisting that the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of election results during consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
The clarification followed a storm of criticism on Wednesday after reports claimed lawmakers voted against electronic result transmission and a proposed 10-year ban for vote buyers and electoral offenders—sparking public outrage and political backlash.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said the reports were inaccurate and risked undermining public confidence in the legislature.
“The Senate did not let me repeat did not reject electronic transmission of results as provided for in the 2022 Electoral Act,” Abaribe said.
The controversy erupted after Wednesday’s plenary, where the Senate considered the report on the Electoral Act amendments.
Amid movement and procedural noise in the chamber, observers interpreted the proceedings as a reversal of earlier commitments to e-transmission.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio quickly dismissed the reports as misleading, maintaining that electronic transmission remains intact under existing law and that the Senate’s position was consistent with the 2022 Electoral Act.
Abaribe said the Minority Caucus felt compelled to intervene because senators hold public trust and must correct the record when their actions are misunderstood.
He traced the decision to a long legislative process involving a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters, which held multiple retreats within and outside Abuja.
According to him, the process included INEC officials, civil society organisations, public hearings and extensive consultations, all of which produced a consensus that electronic transmission of results is essential.
“At the end of those engagements, everyone agreed that electronic transmission was non-negotiable. That position was reflected in the committee reports,” he said.
Following submission of the committee report, an Ad hoc Committee, chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar, was constituted to review outstanding issues.
Abaribe explained that a closed-door executive session was later held to resolve gray areas and ensure smooth passage of the bill.
“At that executive session, the Senate Committee, the Ad hoc Committee and senators unanimously agreed on electronic transmission of results as captured in Section 65 of the bill,” he said.
According to him, the provision was passed at plenary, but the optics in the chamber led to public confusion.
Video records, he added, clearly show the Senate President affirming that electronic transmission of results was approved.
Abaribe also addressed questions surrounding the delay in harmonisation between the Senate and House versions of the bill.
He explained that after Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate adjourned without adopting the Votes and Proceedings, a procedural step required before harmonization can legally begin.
“Under our rules, harmonization cannot commence until the Votes and Proceedings are adopted,” he said.
He stressed that once the Senate reconvenes and adopts the record accurately reflecting the e-transmission provision the harmonization committee will meet.
“At harmonization, you either adopt the House version or the Senate version. Nothing else,” he added.
Abaribe insisted that support for electronic transmission cuts across party lines, describing transparent elections as the foundation of democracy.
“This is not a party matter. Senators across political divides agree that without transparency, you cannot have democracy,” he said.
He also defended the Senate’s decision to constitute an Ad hoc Committee, noting that the chamber has the constitutional authority to regulate its internal processes.
The Minority Caucus concluded by assuring Nigerians that the Senate leadership will follow due process and ensure the final Electoral Act amendment reflects the will of the legislature.
Until the Votes and Proceedings are formally adopted, Abaribe warned, no lawful harmonization can take place and any claim to the contrary is premature.
