e-Transmission: Electoral Act Amendment Was Tinubu’s Bill All Along – Obi

Human rights and social justice advocate, Ene Obi, has alleged that the rejection of amendment to the Electoral Act on electronic transmission of election results was driven by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the President did not require the involvement of the Attorney-General of the Federation to influence its passage.

Obi made the remarks in an interview with Arise News on Friday while reacting to comments by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who had reportedly criticised civil society organisations over their opposition to aspects of the Electoral Act amendment.

On the controversy surrounding electronic transmission of election results, Obi maintained that the amendment was not an independent legislative initiative but one backed by the President.

“This was the President’s bill all along; he was watching it. He didn’t need to involve the Attorney-General — he passed what he wanted,” she alleged.

“It’s unfortunate Festus Keyamo, SAN, thinks civil society organisations don’t represent the wishes of Nigerians. He used to be on this side,” Obi said, in an apparent reference to Keyamo’s past as a public interest lawyer and activist.

She also recalled the activitism history of President Tinubu, noting that the President himself was once involved in protest movements.

“Even President Tinubu, a known protester, used to be on the barricades,” she said.

Obi argued that the timing of the amendment debate was politically sensitive, pointing to the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections. She noted that President Tinubu lost the FCT in the 2023 presidential election, suggesting that electoral reforms should not be shaped by partisan considerations.

“We are just before the FCT election. We know Tinubu lost the FCT,” she said.

She further called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to hold its members accountable, accusing some legal practitioners of undermining democratic processes.

“With the Electoral Act passed, we will focus on the judiciary. The NBA needs to hold their members accountable for what they are doing to this country,” Obi added.