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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A chieftain of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and presidential hopeful, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, popularly known as Fadojoe, has expressed strong concern over the Senate’s decision to restrict the electronic transmission of election results, warning that the move could further erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement, Fadojoe described the decision as a serious setback to electoral credibility, noting that Nigerians are already grappling with declining trust in elections.
He said the restriction risks deepening voter apathy and distrust at a time when the nation requires reforms that strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.
According to him, disputes over result collation, delayed announcements, and post-election courtroom battles have become recurring features of Nigeria’s electoral process, often overshadowing the will of voters expressed at the ballot box.
Fadojoe argued that the demand for electronic transmission of results stems from years of experience with flawed result handling at various levels of collation, from wards and local governments to state and national centres.
He noted that the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has demonstrated that technology can enhance transparency and credibility in elections.
He questioned the rationale behind embracing technology for voter accreditation while resisting its use at the stage where elections are most frequently compromised result transmission.
While acknowledging concerns related to network coverage, insecurity, and infrastructure, Fadojoe maintained that such challenges are not unique to elections.
He pointed out that Nigerians routinely overcome similar obstacles in financial transactions, identity verification, business operations, and educational registrations across the country.
“The solution,” he said, “is smarter deployment of technology, not legislative restrictions that stall innovation.”
Fadojoe further warned that the greatest threat to national security is not electronic transmission of results but elections that citizens do not believe in.
According to him, credible elections reduce tension, prevent violence, and promote national unity, while disputed outcomes often lead to unrest and prolonged instability.
As an intending presidential aspirant, he stated that Nigeria’s democracy must move forward and urged lawmakers to allow INEC the flexibility to deploy technology based on professional judgment and local realities.
He called on the Senate to reconsider its position in the national interest and appealed to civil society organisations, the media, youth groups, faith leaders, and other stakeholders to sustain advocacy for transparent elections.
“Nigeria cannot afford to keep voting in the dark,” he said, stressing that the future of the country’s democracy depends on transparency, accountability, and courage.
Fadojoe is the leader of the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, also known as the Rescue the Vulnerable Initiative.
