Senate President Akpabio defends Electoral Act amendment process, dismisses criticism as premature

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has criticized Nigerians attacking the Senate over the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, stating that the process is incomplete and complaints are premature.

He spoke on Saturday in Abuja during the public presentation of a book authored by Senator Effiong Bob, titled “The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria.”

Akpabio asserted that the Senate would not be swayed by public pressure or criticism from performing its duty to produce an Electoral Act that strengthens democracy.

Addressing the controversy, particularly around Section 60(3) of the Act, Akpabio emphasized that no final decisions have been made.

“We have not passed the votes and proceedings; there is still harmonization but people are already on television sitting on panels abusing the Senate for something that is yet to be completed,” he said.

He explained the procedural steps remaining, noting that any senator could still propose amendments before the final approval.

“Why abuse the Senate when what we have is incomplete?” he questioned, adding, “We will not be intimidated but do what is right for Nigeria and not that of one NGO.”

Clarifying the Senate’s position on electronic transmission of results, Akpabio stated the suggestion was to remove the term “real-time” from the law. This, he argued, would grant the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) flexibility and prevent potential catastrophe from system failures.

“Real-time means that there will be no election results in nine states where there is no network,” he explained. “Technology must save and not endanger democracy. You put real-time in law when you don’t even have electricity in your community.”

Akpabio concluded by assuring that the Senate would review all concerns before passing the final amendment, stating that the door remains open for adjustments through the conference committee and the approval of votes and proceedings.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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