Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has sharply criticized the Senate's rejection of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process, claiming it deliberately enables manipulation to keep the ruling party in power.
Speaking on Trust TV, El-Rufai accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the current administration of opposing the reform because "they know they can't win the elections" without it.
He asserted that the only way the ruling party has a fighting chance is by manipulating results during collation after votes are cast.
"The only way they have a fighting chance is to manipulate the results after people have voted," El-Rufai said.
He went further, declaring: "Without manipulation, they are finished."El-Rufai emphasized that genuine rigging does not occur at polling units but at collation centres, where results are often altered.
He described mandatory electronic transmission of results directly from polling units as the most effective way to curb such manipulation and improve election credibility.
He expressed regret for not joining the recent protest at the National Assembly led by Peter Obi and other opposition leaders, explaining that he was unable to return to Nigeria in time.
"It is unfortunate I have not been able to return to Nigeria, I would have joined Mr. Peter Obi and other party leaders in protesting to the National Assembly to restore the real-time and mandatory transmission of results from the polling unit," he stated.
The controversial provision had been passed by the House of Representatives but is reportedly being frustrated or rejected in the Senate.
Protesters, including civil society groups and opposition figures, stormed the National Assembly premises to demand its restoration ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing it is essential for transparency and credible polls.
El-Rufai's remarks highlight deepening political tensions over electoral reforms, with critics warning that weakening electronic transmission safeguards could undermine public trust in Nigeria's democratic process.
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