By Charles Maduka
A former Rivers State chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Apostle Eugene Ogu, has petitioned the United States, the United Nations and the European Union over the National Assembly’s refusal to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory.
Ogu described the decision of the federal legislature as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, warning that it could undermine public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a petition released to journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, the cleric urged the international community to intervene, saying the rejection of compulsory electronic transmission was an attempt by what he called “anti-masses political leaders” to manipulate the electoral process.
He argued that Nigerians have endured years of poor governance marked by corruption, insecurity and weak institutions, but insisted that tampering with the electoral process must not be tolerated.
According to him, only a free, fair and transparent election anchored on compulsory electronic transmission of results can guarantee credible outcomes and reflect the will of the people.
Ogu alleged that the Senate’s refusal to pass provisions for real-time electronic transmission amounted to an invitation to rig the 2027 presidential election and fraudulently subvert voters’ choices.
He called on international bodies, foreign governments, labour unions, student groups, professional bodies and faith-based organisations to speak out and pressure the National Assembly to pass the bill into law.
The former PFN leader also appealed to foreign embassies to withhold travel privileges from Nigerian politicians until they respect the will of the people by enacting the reform.
While criticising Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other lawmakers, Ogu urged them not to treat the issue lightly, warning that a flawed process could expose the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to unnecessary risks during the 2027 elections.
He added that history would remember leaders not for how long they ruled, but for whether they delivered a free and fair electoral system, while commending lawmakers who openly supported electronic transmission of results.
Leave a Reply