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The Senator representing Ekiti State District, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has disclosed the real reason behind the removal of “real time” from the 2026 Electoral Bill.
He clarified this in a statement issued through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Sunday.
Bamidele explained that the Senate had previously rejected Clause 60(3) of the bill, which mandated that the presiding officer “shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real time…”.
The clause was subsequently redrafted to retain electronic transmission of results while omitting the “real time” requirement.
Bamidele described Clause 60(3) as “an initiative that any legislature or parliament globally would ordinarily have embraced.”
He added that the Senate had to consider the country’s infrastructural realities before making its decision.
Drawing on data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bamidele noted that broadband coverage stood at about 70 percent in 2025, while internet penetration was 44.53 percent of the population.
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He cited the Speedtest Global Index, which ranked Nigeria 85th out of 105 countries in mobile network reliability and 129th out of 150 countries in fixed broadband reliability.
“Based on the Speedtest Global Index, Nigeria’s mobile network reliability was 44.14 megabits per second. This is extremely low compared with the UAE, which has 691.76 mbps; Qatar with 573.53 mbps; Kuwait with 415.67 mbps; Bahrain with 303.21 mbps; and Bulgaria with 289.41 mbps.
“The Index placed Nigeria far below the global average.
“Nigeria’s fixed internet broadband rating is quite low by global standards. Out of 150 countries, Nigeria occupied the 129th position with only 33.32 mbps.
“In this rating, Singapore came first with 410.06 mbps, followed by the UAE with 382.35 mbps; France with 346.25 mbps; Chile with 348.41 mbps; and Hong Kong with 345.25 mbps,” he stated.
He further highlighted that around 85 million Nigerians, roughly 43 percent of the population, lack access to grid electricity.
“This shortfall speaks to the state of our power infrastructure. Even though our generation capacity hovers roughly between 12,000 and 13,500 megawatts, our distribution and transmission capacity are acutely limited.
“As we all know, it can only deliver 4,500 megawatts to households nationwide. But with the Electricity Act, 2025, our power sector will record significant growth from this financial year,” the lawmaker added.
Bamidele warned that enforcing real-time transmission under these conditions could lead to instability.
“The data speak directly to the stark realities of our federation, not emotion or sentiment. As representatives of the people, we cannot enact laws based purely on public emotion or sentiment,” he stated.
According to the Senate leader, the removal of “real time” aims to ensure the electoral framework aligns with Nigeria’s current capabilities while still addressing public concerns about transparency.
Civil society groups in Imo State have formally objected to reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission plans to redeploy Enugu’s Resident Electoral Commissioner to their state, warning the move could erode trust in the electoral process.
Four organizations jointly called on INEC to clarify whether the transfer of Chukwuemeka Chukwu is under consideration and, if so, to reverse course. The groups issued their demand Friday through a statement raising concerns about what they characterized as the official’s perceived ties to Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The coalition—comprising the Democratic Rights and Liberties Organisation, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Imo Election Watch Coalition and Alaigbo Democracy Accountability Network—argued that deploying an official under such circumstances would fuel suspicion in what they described as a politically sensitive environment.
“Imo people deserve to have absolute confidence that every vote will count and that the electoral umpire will act independently, without fear or favour,” the statement said. “Any administrative action that generates perception of bias, particularly in a state with a history of contested mandates, must be avoided.”
“It is troubling that an official whose previous assignment in Imo generated widespread controversy would be considered for redeployment to the same state,” the coalition stated, adding that electoral integrity must not only be upheld but be seen to be upheld.
The organizations demanded INEC headquarters issue clarification on the reported transfer, retract the redeployment if confirmed, and provide assurances that future postings to Imo would prioritize neutrality and public confidence.
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“We will mobilise all democratic and civic platforms available to ensure that no action capable of undermining the sanctity of the ballot is allowed to stand,” the statement said.
INEC had not issued any official comment on the reported transfer as of Friday evening.
Resident Electoral Commissioners serve as INEC’s chief representatives in each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. They oversee election administration within their jurisdictions and report to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
