Tinubu Government Will Exploit Electoral Law Loophole To Manipulate 2027 Polls — El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has alleged that the Tinubu administration may exploit perceived loopholes in the Electoral Act to manipulate 2027 election results.

He claimed that the incumbent government lacked confidence in winning a free and fair poll.

Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa, el-Rufai argued that retaining provisions allowing manual transmission of election results in areas without internet access creates room for interference before results reach collation centres.

“Starlink has connection all over the country we can utilise that to ensure access so live election results transmission can occur. If that is included into the law and Tinubu approves, then this will aid greatly in ensuring free and fair election because leaving this clause open means results can still be manipulated before it reaches the collation center,” he said.

He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of pushing to retain the old method of result collation under the pretext of poor internet connectivity.

“We know how they think; that is why the APC wants the old method to remain by claiming there is no network on the day of the elections,” el-Rufai said.

The former governor proposed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contract satellite internet providers such as Starlink to ensure nationwide connectivity during elections.

“We could connect to Starlink, INEC can independently contract them to eliminate any possibility of manipulation of results,” he stated.

Dismissing claims that some communities lacked internet access, El-Rufai said, “I heard one senator lying that in his village there is no internet, but it’s embarrassing that a former governor of eight years is making such claims.”

He warned against any attempt to shut down internet services on election day, referencing Uganda’s recent experience.

“We know their plans, like the recent incidence in Uganda where the internet connection was shutdown completely on the day of the election, which can’t happen in Nigeria; we are above that,” he said.

“They might use their power to try and enforce internet shutdown on the day of the election because they are not God-fearing; they don’t even fear the devil who is their companion,” he said.

While describing the push for electronic transmission of election results as “a great progress in the right direction,” he insisted Nigerians must remain vigilant.

“We and all Nigerians will pay attention to ensure no manipulation is done by using this loophole that election results can be transmitted using the old method if there is no internet in the area,” he added.

On claims that his criticism of President Bola Tinubu intensified after he was excluded from a ministerial appointment, el-Rufai dismissed the suggestion.

“There is nothing special about being a minister; I have already occupied that position when I was in my 40s. Even if I had been with them in the start, I would have resigned and continued opposing them if they are not on the path of Nigeria’s progress. That has always been my style,” he said.

He further alleged that some current ministers “paid” to be appointed.

El-Rufai also accused the Tinubu administration of selective anti-corruption enforcement.

“If you are with the Tinubu administration, even if you violate the law, nothing will happen. Look at Yahaya Bello, after all the efforts of the EFCC to remand him, now he is walking around freely and enjoying life. But Malami, who said he is with the ADC, they have singled him out,” he claimed.

He added, “Nuhu Ribadu will pick up the phone and give directive for the EFCC to arrest someone, which is out of his official responsibility. I am ashamed to think he was my friend at one point; it is disheartening to see.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency and the national security adviser (NSA) had not responded to the allegations.