E-transmission: Senate ‘not ready’ remark undermines Nigeria’s democracy – Students’ leader
NOUN Student Congress President Criticizes Senate’s Stance on Electronic Voting
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The newly elected National President of the Congress of NOUN Students (CONS), Comrade Daudu Jeffery, has expressed concern over recent comments made by the Senate regarding the electronic transmission of election results. Jeffery labeled these remarks as not only disappointing but also detrimental to Nigeria’s democratic reputation.
Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee reviewing the 2026 Electoral Bill, stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently lacks the capability to implement electronic voting. In a statement on Thursday, he emphasized that Nigeria has not yet adopted an electronic voting system, clarifying that the Results Viewing Portal (IReV) is intended solely for the upload and public dissemination of manually counted election results from polling units.
Jeffery responded to Adegbonmire’s assertions during his acceptance speech on Saturday, questioning the political will and commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria. He noted that repeated claims of readiness issues, despite numerous election cycles and substantial financial investments in the electoral process, raise serious doubts regarding the nation’s dedication to democratic reform.
“Nigeria has reached a point where abnormalities are treated as normal, and normal things are seen as strange. This poses a dangerous reality for any nation aspiring for progress,” Jeffery stated.
He further argued that the Senate’s assertion regarding the unpreparedness for real-time election result transmission suggests a broader reluctance to adopt practices that enhance transparency and accountability. He asserted that real-time result transmission is essential for fostering public trust and minimizing electoral manipulation.
“Claiming we are ‘not ready’ after many election cycles and substantial budgetary allocations raises significant concerns about our commitment to democratic change. Nigeria is capable; what we lack is the courage to adopt what is right,” Jeffery added.
In his address, Jeffery also congratulated the newly inaugurated Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma. He urged the new leader to prioritize academic and administrative challenges facing students at the institution.
“Your appointment is a significant milestone for the university. I urge you to implement academic projects that directly address student concerns across study centers,” he said. Jeffery emphasized the importance of timely access to complete course materials and improvements in the efficiency of academic processes.
He concluded by thanking NOUN students nationwide for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for student welfare, academic progress, and the protection of students’ rights and interests throughout the university system.
