Put It in the Law or Resign, Adebayo Tells Senate Over Electoral Act
Tension over the proposed amendment of Nigeria’s Electoral Act has deepened, as former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, slammed the National Assembly for dropping electronic transmission of results from the bill.
Adebayo, who spoke in an interview on Sunday, accused the Senate leadership of betraying the will of Nigerians and weakening the chances of free and fair elections.
He also faulted comments by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that public anger over the issue was premature, describing such remarks as “highly irresponsible.”
“Every stage of the legislative process attracts scrutiny,” Adebayo said. “The provision for electronic transmission was already there. Once you show the intention not to listen to the aspirations of the people, Nigerians have a right to react.”
Using a strong metaphor, he said the Senate’s action amounted to a provocation.
“The moment you pull out a gun at me, that is the time I need to react. You don’t say you haven’t pulled the trigger. By then, it is already too late,” he said.
Adebayo warned that lawmakers sit in the National Assembly only by the mandate of the people and risk losing legitimacy if they act against public interest.
“If you want to serve somebody’s personal interest, do it in your private capacity,” he said. “Not at a time when we are trying to pass one of the most important amendments of our generation.”
According to him, real-time electronic transmission of election results is no longer optional but necessary.
“We needed it years ago. At the very least, we need it now,” he said.
In one of his strongest statements, Adebayo warned Senate President Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigerians would not back down on the issue.
“We are extremely serious and sensitive about electronic transmission,” he said. “If they want this democracy to end on this subject, we will give it to them. They must put it in the law, because that is what the people want — or they should resign and leave.”
He dismissed suggestions that public outrage would fade, vowing sustained pressure if the demand is ignored.
“If you don’t put electronic transmission in the law, this election will not hold, and the government will leave. We will do whatever it takes legally and pragmatically, because they are not acting legally,” he said.
Despite the tough tone, Adebayo said his position was driven by love for the country, not a desire for chaos.
“I don’t mind contesting an election that is free and fair and losing. I will salute the winner. But anyone dancing around electronic transmission has shown clearly that they do not want a free and fair election,” he added.
INEC Recognises SDP Leadership
Meanwhile, Adebayo welcomed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Sadiq Gombe-led leadership of the Social Democratic Party, describing it as a victory for the rule of law.
“The recognition is good for INEC,” he said, noting that the commission had earlier interfered in the party’s internal affairs. “It is the same executive we had then that we still have now.”
He explained that internal disciplinary issues in the party, including a voluntary resignation and the removal of two suspended officials, were never INEC’s business.
“We went to court, and now INEC has agreed to obey the law and treat us fairly. There is no faction in the party,” he said.
As the debate over the Electoral Act amendment continues, Adebayo’s comments suggest that the battle over electronic transmission of results may become a major test for Nigeria’s democracy.
