The Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has defended the National Assembly’s decision to adopt a hybrid system for transmitting election results, saying the move is necessary to prevent voter disenfranchisement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Sunday during a courtesy visit by Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Felix Costales, at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, Abbas explained that relying solely on real-time electronic transmission would be unrealistic given Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.
He noted that unstable internet connectivity and inadequate power supply across many parts of the country make full electronic transmission impractical for now. “Many people believe we should immediately adopt real-time electronic transmission nationwide. But even in cities like Abuja, stable internet access is not guaranteed at all times.”, Abbas said.
Citing data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), he added that nearly 40 percent of Nigeria’s territory remains underserved in terms of internet coverage. According to him, adopting a purely electronic system under such conditions could exclude millions of voters. “If we insist on a fully electronic system, we risk disenfranchising citizens in areas without reliable internet. That could also lead to a significant drop in voter turnout”, he stated.
Abbas stressed that the amended Electoral Act provides flexibility by allowing both electronic and manual transmission methods. He said electronic transmission should be used where infrastructure supports it, while manual methods can serve as a fallback in areas facing connectivity or power challenges.
The Speaker also pointed to Nigeria’s energy crisis as a major obstacle to nationwide real-time transmission, noting that internet services depend heavily on stable electricity. “There is no way to guarantee full nationwide connectivity on election day without adequate power supply”, he said, adding that democracy is a gradual process that requires steady improvement over time.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s democratic process would continue to strengthen, particularly through international cooperation, and called for technical collaboration between Nigeria and Spain’s parliament.
In response, Ambassador Costales said his visit was aimed at deepening legislative diplomacy and strengthening bilateral relations between both countries. He pledged Spain’s continued support for Nigeria’s democratic development, acknowledging existing challenges while expressing confidence in progress.
The recently amended Electoral Act, signed into law by Bola Tinubu, formally authorises both electronic and manual transmission of election results, depending on the availability of infrastructure. While supporters describe the hybrid model as a pragmatic solution to current realities, critics argue that without strict monitoring and transparency safeguards, the dual system could raise concerns about electoral integrity.
