PDP govs ask N/Assembly to entrench e-transmission of election results

• Failure will spell doom — Sen. Ibrahim

Governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Sokoto State governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, have asked the National Assembly to entrench electronic transmission of election results in order to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in the country.

The Senate had approved electronic transmission of results during elections provided that; “The national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secured by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly.”

But the governors said the electronic  transmission of results should be entrenched.

The governors at their meeting held in Bauchi,  equally condemned what they described as “use of underhand tactics to arm twist” some PDP governors and other stakeholders to join the APC.

The meeting requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to deploy appropriate technologies necessary to ensure that the vote of every Nigerian counts in election.

The governors also enjoined all Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration by INEC to register, thereby arming themselves with the necessary tools in the struggle to “rescue Nigeria” in 2023.

Similarly, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim who represented Kwara South Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly has said the refusal to include electronic transmission of results in the electoral act portends doom for the country.

Speaking with Daily Trust yesterday in Ilorin, Sen Rafiu said senators who recently voted against electronic transmission of results for the 2023 general elections did not mean well for the country and its democracy.

“We are just postponing the evil day. Currently, our electoral process allows for fraud. To cure part of the fraudulent aspect of our electoral process, we have to allow for electronic transmission.

“How can you in this century refuse to go digital. Everything has gone electronical, be it money, even JAMB now transmits results electronically. So I wonder why lawmakers that are elected by the citizens will vote against electronic transmission of result.

“The senators gave funny reasons, but I know whether we like it or not, we will get there one day. We have to set a pace for the future of our children. We don’t have option or else we will all be consumed.

“I know how POS is deployed everywhere in Nigeria. At a point we will not be able to face Nigerians if leaders don’t do what is right; be it APC, PDP or any other party for that matter,” he said.