Former Minister of Transportation and former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has queried the APC Senators for opposing real-time election result transmission despite
boasting control of 31 state governors. During an interview with Channels TV, Amaechi questioned the party's inconsistency, stating, "I thought they said they have 31 governors, I thought they said Tinubu is not Jonathan." He argued that electoral outcomes should reflect public sentiment, adding, "The only way a good politician can know whether he has done well or not is by the people."
The former minister attributed the resistance to real-time transmission to self-preservation by those in power. When asked why the ruling party refuses to implement the system, he responded, "The simple reason is their interest. It's their interest. It's their interest."
Amaechi called for widespread mobilization to pressure the government into adopting electronic transmission as a solution to electoral violence.
"We must get everybody to get them to hear that the only way to save Nigerians from electoral violence, election violence, is to allow transmission, real transmission. What's wrong with that? Nothing. They're just afraid to lose power," he said. Amaechi's comments highlight the ongoing debate about the use of technology in Nigeria's electoral process.
The APC Senators have been vocal in their opposition to real-time election result transmission, citing concerns about the security of the system. However, Amaechi's remarks suggest that the party's stance is motivated by a desire to maintain power and control over the electoral process.
Amaechi's criticism of the APC Senators is not surprising, given his history of disagreements with the party. As a former governor of Rivers State, Amaechi was a key figure in the APC's rise to power, but he has since become increasingly critical of the party's leadership.
The issue of real-time election result transmission is a contentious one in Nigeria, with many arguing that it is necessary to ensure the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. However, others have raised concerns about the security and reliability of the system.
Amaechi's call for widespread mobilization to pressure the government into adopting electronic transmission is likely to add to the growing pressure on the APC-led government to reform the electoral process. The outcome of this debate remains to be seen, but it is clear that the issue will continue to be a major point of contention in Nigerian politics.
In the meantime, civil society organizations and other stakeholders are calling for the government to prioritize the use of technology in the electoral process. They argue that real-time transmission is essential to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and preventing electoral violence.
The international community has also weighed in on the issue, with many calling for Nigeria to adopt best practices in electoral administration. The European Union, among others, has urged Nigeria to ensure that its electoral process is transparent, credible, and free from violence.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the issue of real-time election result transmission is a critical one for Nigeria's democratic future. The government must listen to the voices of the people and prioritize the use of technology to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
Amaechi's remarks are a timely reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process. As Nigeria prepares for future elections, it is essential that the government takes steps to address the concerns of citizens and ensure that the electoral process is credible and trustworthy.
The path forward is clear: Nigeria must adopt real-time election result transmission to ensure the integrity of its electoral process. Anything short of this will be a betrayal of the people's trust and a recipe for continued electoral violence and instability.
It remains to be seen whether the APC-led government will listen to the voices of the people and prioritize the use of technology in the electoral process. One thing is certain, however: the people will not be silenced, and the demand for real-time transmission will continue to grow louder.
As Amaechi said, "The only way a good politician can know whether he has done well or not is by the people." It is time for Nigerian politicians to listen to the people and prioritize their interests.