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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has sharply rebuked former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi over criticism of the 2026 Electoral Act, accusing him of political inconsistency and reminding him of his stance on electronic transmission of election results during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Wike defended the provisions of the new law, insisting that contrary to claims by critics, it does not abolish the electronic transmission of election results. Rather, he said, the legislation clarifies procedures and provides flexibility for the country\u2019s electoral management body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wike argued that Amaechi\u2019s current opposition to the law contradicts his earlier political position when debates over electronic transmission dominated national discourse during Buhari\u2019s presidency. According to the minister, those who resisted mandatory electronic transmission at the time cannot now credibly present themselves as defenders of electoral technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He maintained that the law passed by the National Assembly of Nigeria preserves the authority of the Independent National Electoral Commission to deploy technology where operationally feasible, while also allowing for procedural safeguards in areas where infrastructure or security concerns may limit digital processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe claim that electronic transmission has been scrapped is simply not correct,\u201d Wike said, adding that the legislation reflects practical realities in a vast and diverse country. He stressed that elections must remain credible but also workable, noting that technological deployment must be guided by logistical capacity rather than political rhetoric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amaechi, who has been among prominent voices criticising the law, has argued that any perceived dilution of mandatory electronic transmission could undermine public confidence in the electoral process. He and other critics contend that expanding digital transmission was a major reform intended to reduce manipulation and increase transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Wike dismissed such concerns as politically motivated, insisting that the law strengthens, rather than weakens, the electoral framework in Nigeria. He said public debate should focus on implementation and institutional strengthening instead of what he described as \u201crevisionist narratives\u201d about past legislative battles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The exchange reflects continuing political tensions over electoral reform, a subject that has remained central to public trust in Nigeria\u2019s democratic process. With the next general elections approaching, disputes over the interpretation and practical application of the new law are likely to intensify, even as authorities insist that technological tools will remain part of the country\u2019s voting system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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