This is the concluding part of a public memo from former Minister of Education, and founder, SPPG- School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Obiageli Oby Ezekwesili on the shenanigan going on in our country ahead of the 2027 elections. Happy reading.
Know When to Stop Playing with Fire. The 2023 elections tested Nigeria’s cohesion.
Our country survived not because the system worked well, but because citizens restrained themselves in the face of deep frustration. If future elections are again disputed under the cover of discretionary loopholes, responsibility will be clear.
It will lie with those who saw the danger, understood it fully, and chose to plunge Nigerians into it anyway.
I am certain that by now the Senators have heard the unified stance of Nigerians on electronic transmission of results since the news of their unpopular decision was published yesterday and will therefore avoid plunging the country into crisis.
I am therefore certain that the Nigerian Senate now knows what it must do immediately.
Senators, cancel that emergency two-week break announced today, all return to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly complex, and in a broadcast Plenary Session, unanimously pass into law the exact text of the reform that was proposed to the clause on electronic transmission of results.
For avoidance of any confusion, here is the exact text of the key proposed provision from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill:“The presiding officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real time, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and, where available, countersigned by candidates or polling unit agents.”
Simple.
It is not wise to play with fire. Transparency is always better.
Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili
Founder, SPPG- School of Politics, Policy and Governance
February 5, 2026
