ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has maintained that the Senate approved the electronic transmission of election results in real time, pushing back against media reports suggesting otherwise and warning that his personal integrity is being questioned.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday, Abaribe, flanked by 13 serving senators, said the upper chamber did not approve the “transfer” of results as captured in the 2022 Electoral Act, but deliberately endorsed electronic transmission.
“I am disturbed by what is being reported in the media, which is why we felt compelled to clarify this matter.
“What the Senate passed is electronic transmission of results. That distinction is intentional and important”, Abaribe said.
He explained that the Senate’s decision was the product of a rigorous legislative process that included consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several civil society organisations.
According to him, a joint committee of the National Assembly held multiple retreats with stakeholders, culminating in a broad consensus by both chambers in favour of electronic transmission of results.
Abaribe said an ad hoc Senate committee was subsequently constituted to review the electoral reform report before it was presented to the chamber.
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“That report was considered during an executive session. I can say on my honour that we unanimously agreed on electronic transmission of results in real time. It was also passed at plenary yesterday,” he said.
He noted that confusion emerged during plenary proceedings, despite confirmation by the Senate President on the floor that electronic transmission had been approved.
Abaribe further clarified that although the Senate adjourned after plenary, it has not yet adopted its Votes and Proceedings, a procedural requirement before the conference committee can convene to harmonise the Senate and House versions of the bill.
“There is still a procedural step outstanding. Until the Votes and Proceedings are adopted, the conference committee cannot sit. A significant number of senators across party lines share this position,” he added.
Also speaking at the briefing, Senator Aliyu Ningi said deliberations on the Electoral Act amendment began as far back as 2024, involving extensive committee work.
“We held no fewer than 27 sessions as a committee. It is painful to see public opinion being shaped negatively despite the depth of work that went into this process,” Ningi said.
Both lawmakers stressed that the legislative process remains ongoing and that harmonisation between both chambers cannot occur until all procedural requirements are concluded.
Clarifying the choice of language, Abaribe said the Senate intentionally opted for the word “transmission” instead of “transfer” to avoid ambiguity.
“The 2022 Act uses the word ‘transfer’. We did not want vague or ambiguous provisions. What we passed is electronic ‘transmission’ of results,” he said.
However, during the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, the Senate removed the word “transmission” and reinstated “transfer”, consistent with the existing Electoral Act.
The amendment, proposed by the Senate Chief Whip, was seconded by the Deputy Senate President and adopted without objection.
In the course of the debate, the Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Mongunu, argued that the chamber should retain the original wording of the law, a position supported by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.
The matter was subsequently affirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who ruled in favour of retaining the existing provision.