Former SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of inflaming national tensions over electronic transmission of election results.
His comments followed public outrage after the Senate passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 without making electronic transmission mandatory.
The lawmakers rejected proposed changes to Clause 60(3), which sought to compel real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Speaking on Politics Today, on Channels Television on Monday, Adebayo said the Senate leadership undermined transparency by ignoring public expectations for credible elections.
He alleged that political interests influenced the decision, describing it as harmful to Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Adebayo urged senators to address broader electoral concerns, including campaign financing, vote-buying, and excessive election spending.
He called on lawmakers to act as true representatives and restore public trust in the electoral process.
The SDP chieftain criticised Akpabio’s leadership style, urging him to show humility and respect the will of the electorate.
Adebayo argued that public office holders derive authority solely from citizens and must not weaken democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, the Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
A notice from the Clerk of the Senate directed lawmakers to reconvene at noon at the National Assembly.
The emergency session comes amid mounting pressure to reconsider the disputed clause on electronic transmission of election results.
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