A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, has declared that nothing has changed from the Senate’s original position regarding the contentious provisions of the Electoral Bill, particularly on the electronic transmission of election results.
Addressing members of the Conference Committee on the harmonization of the Electoral Bill, Uzokwe said he was compelled to write and preempt what he described as “the battle ahead,” following developments at the Senate chamber. According to him, Nigerians must not be deceived into believing there has been any significant shift in the Senate’s stance.
“We are where we are at the discretion of INEC. Anywhere they declare no service remains so. The bird that flies from the ground to an anthill has not achieved any movement,” he stated, suggesting that cosmetic adjustments without mandatory real-time transmission amount to no progress.
Uzokwe emphasized that the House of Representatives has already discharged its responsibility by supporting mandatory electronic transmission of results in real time — a position he said was widely commended by Nigerians. He warned that reversing or diluting that position would amount to betraying public trust.
“The House to which we belong has done our work and Nigerians commended us. Shifting our stand now is sequel to a dog eating its vomit,” he said.
The lawmaker further referenced assurances by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who reportedly informed lawmakers that electronic transmission is automatic and capable of delivering results while maintaining the original timeline of uploading, even if technical delays occur.
Reiterating his firm position, Uzokwe maintained that the Senate erred in its approach and must not be allowed to undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress.
“My stand is clear. The Senate got it wrong and should not truncate this hard-earned democracy,” he declared.
He added that he was mandated to convey the collective position of the people of Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State, stressing that their demand remains unequivocal: electronic transmission of election results in real time.
Rep. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe represents Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
