OKONKWO FAULTS AKPABIO, CALLS FOR SENATE PRESIDENT’S REMOVAL OVER ELECTORAL ACT CONTROVERSY

Nollywood veteran and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the ongoing controversy surrounding amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, calling for his removal from office. Okonkwo accused the Senate leadership of undermining democratic processes through proposed changes affecting the electronic transmission of election results.

The dispute stems from the Senate’s decision to modify provisions relating to real-time electronic transmission of results during elections. Lawmakers removed the clause mandating instant electronic transmission, retaining a provision that allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the most suitable method of result transmission based on prevailing circumstances. 

Akpabio has defended the Senate’s position, insisting that electronic transmission of results has not been scrapped entirely. He explained that the removal of the term “real-time” was necessary to address possible legal and technical challenges, particularly in areas with security and network limitations. According to him, the amendment was designed to provide INEC with flexibility in conducting elections under varying conditions. 

However, Okonkwo strongly disagreed with the Senate’s stance, alleging that the move could weaken transparency and credibility in future elections. He argued that any attempt to dilute the requirement for immediate electronic transmission raises concerns about potential manipulation of election results and called on the Senate President to step aside.

The controversy has sparked widespread reactions among political stakeholders, civil society organisations and legal professionals. Critics, including opposition parties and advocacy groups, have warned that reducing reliance on electronic transmission could increase the risk of irregularities during collation of results, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. 

Despite the criticism, Akpabio has maintained that the legislative process is still ongoing and urged Nigerians to allow lawmakers complete their work before drawing conclusions. He stressed that the Senate remains committed to strengthening the nation’s electoral framework and passing laws that reflect the will of the people.