Senators Call Out Media Misreporting on Election Results

Agede Favour February 5, 2026 2 minutes read

At a media briefing on Thursday, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, joined by 13 colleagues, clarified that the Senate approved electronic transmission of election results, not the “transfer” of results as stated in the 2022 Electoral Act.

Abaribe stressed the distinction is deliberate. “I need to make this very clear. What we passed is electronic transmission of results,” he said.

He explained the decision followed extensive consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society groups. A joint committee held multiple retreats with stakeholders, reaching consensus that electronic transmission should be adopted by both the Senate and House of Representatives.

An ad hoc Senate committee reviewed the electoral reform report in a closed-door session. “During the executive session we all agreed on electronic transmission of results in real time. At plenary yesterday, we also passed it,” Abari

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Senator Aliyu Ningi noted the process began in 2024 with about 27 committee sessions. He expressed concern over negative public opinion despite the extensive deliberations.

The Senate has not yet adopted the Votes and Proceedings, a procedural step required before a conference committee can harmonise the Senate and House versions of the bill. Until then, the legislative process is incomplete.

Abaribe clarified that the Senate intentionally used the term “transmission” instead of “transfer” to avoid ambiguity. However, during plenary, the Senate replaced “transmission” with “transfer,” aligning with the existing 2022 Electoral Act after a proposal by the Chief Whip was supported by the Deputy Senate President and affirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.