The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the recent amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 by the National Assembly, describing the move—particularly the reversal of mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units—as a grave betrayal of Nigerians and a direct assault on the country’s democratic foundations.
In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party accused federal lawmakers of adopting what it termed an anti-democratic posture that undermines transparency and erodes public confidence in the electoral process. The PDP expressed dismay at what it called the Senate’s “hostile disposition” toward electoral reforms and the House of Representatives’ “sudden somersault” on provisions that previously enjoyed broad public support.
At the heart of the controversy is the amendment to provisions requiring the mandatory electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units. According to the PDP, Nigerians had unequivocally demanded this reform as a safeguard against electoral malpractice. The party argued that the removal or dilution of this requirement amounts to a repudiation of the collective will of the electorate.
Describing the development as a “treacherous betrayal,” the PDP maintained that the decision strikes at the core principles of electoral integrity and democratic accountability. The party contended that the manner in which the amendments were introduced and adopted reflects disregard for the supremacy of the electorate. Lawmakers, it said, have a constitutional and moral obligation to reflect the wishes of their constituents, not subvert them.
The statement criticized the rationale advanced by proponents of the amendment, dismissing their justifications as weak, illogical, and dismissive of Nigerians’ intelligence. According to the PDP, efforts to dilute transparency mechanisms ahead of future elections inevitably raise suspicion. When electoral safeguards are weakened, the party argued, it suggests a deliberate attempt to create loopholes for manipulation.
The PDP further warned that such legislative actions erode the foundational principle of representative democracy. By disregarding the overwhelming demand for electronic transmission of results, the National Assembly, the party claimed, has departed from its core mandate to mirror the aspirations and preferences of the electorate. The statement cautioned that political consequences may follow, asserting that voters retain the power to hold elected officials accountable.
Beyond the issue of result transmission, the PDP also objected to provisions restricting party primaries to direct and consensus methods. The party described this as an unwarranted intrusion into the internal affairs of political parties. Citing established jurisprudence, it noted that the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal processes, including the conduct of primaries.
By limiting the modes through which parties can select candidates, the amendment, according to the PDP, oversteps constitutional boundaries and amounts to legislative overreach. The party characterized the provision as ultra vires and incompatible with the principle of party independence in a pluralistic democracy.
The statement also took aim at the ruling party, questioning its commitment to electoral transparency. It argued that any political party confident in its popularity should welcome reforms that enhance openness and credibility. The PDP described the ruling party’s support for the amendment as indicative of apprehension about competing in a genuinely transparent electoral environment.
The party further highlighted what it called a contradiction in political positioning. It recalled that the same political actors who once championed electronic voting reforms are now resisting electronic transmission of results. This reversal, the PDP suggested, undermines their credibility and raises doubts about their democratic sincerity.
In its concluding remarks, the PDP called on Nigerians, organised labour unions, and civil society organisations to express their dissatisfaction through lawful and peaceful means. It urged citizens to remain vigilant and to defend the democratic gains achieved over years of struggle and sacrifice.
The statement emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy remains fragile and must be protected from regression. According to the PDP, electoral transparency is not merely a technical matter but a cornerstone of public trust and political stability. Any attempt to weaken that trust, it argued, endangers the legitimacy of future elections and the overall health of the republic.
Signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr, the statement underscores growing tensions over the direction of electoral reform in Nigeria. As debate intensifies, the controversy surrounding the Electoral Act amendment is poised to remain a focal point in national discourse, with significant implications for public confidence and the credibility of forthcoming elections.
