By James Orji
Attahiru Jega, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC alongside other prominent individuals has formed a coalition to mobilise Nigerians for the 2023 general election.
The group, though not a political party seeks to engage the Federal Government on the need to adopt the electronic transmission of results in Nigeria as part of efforts to ensure free, fair elections.
The Nigerian Senate and INEC have disagreed on the mode of transmitting election results for the 2023 general elections. The upper legislative chamber has recently amended the Electoral Act which seeks to force INEC to consult the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC before it can transmit results electronically or manually.
At a summit held in Abuja on Thursday the coalition said it will sensitise Nigerians on the need to push for the electronic transmission of results.
Members of the group include Ghali Umar Na’Abba, a former Speakr of the House of Representatives Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Professor Remi Sonaiya, Dr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Senator Shehu Sani, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Ambassador.
Others are NkoyoToyo, Adewole Adebayo, Dr Okwadike Ezeife, Dr Sarah Jubril, Dr Monday Ubani, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Maryam Inna Ciroma, Ariyo Toye Dare, Dr Olu Usim Wilson, Hadjia Zainab Maina, Ezekiel Nya Etok, Chief Precious Elekima, Colonel Bello Fadile, Olúdáre Ogunlana, Dr Chike Okogwu, Dr Tanko Yunusa, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Prof Kingsley Moghalu, and Prof Chidi Odinkalu, amongst others.
A statement released by Prof. Pat Utomi after the summit said members of the collation will push for electoral reforms in the country, particularly the adoption of electronic transmission of results.
According to him “the Summit agreed to initiate an all-inclusive national political coalition to mobilise Nigerians, while engaging the Federal Government for the adoption of electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria and also to ensure that there is a collective mandate of all stakeholders towards the advocacy for other related electoral reforms in Nigeria so that the country does not end up with another Electoral Act that does more to undermine the integrity and credibility of the electoral process instead of improving it.”
He described manual transmission of results as archaic and problematic.
As a result of this, Utomi said “Stakeholders across party divides and sectional lines, including civil society groups agree that the country is ripe and due for electronic transmission of election results to overcome at least 50 percent of the basis for electoral malpractices in Nigeria as asserted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“The summit agrees that Electronic Transmission of results is the way to go for Nigeria and all stakeholders across party and sectional lines must build a common front to do the needful in ensuring credible electoral reforms for Nigeria ahead of the 2023 elections.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians are still wondering on whether the group will transform into a political party ahead the election in two years’ time.
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