Journalist and broadcaster of Arise TV, Rufai Oseni has warned Nigerians to remain vigilant over the Senate’s new law on election result transmission, saying it contains a loophole that could undermine transparency.
According to him, although the law permits electronic transmission of results, it also allows room for manipulation.
Speaking during a recent video, Oseni said:
“Just as I predicted, I knew they would pass the law in a way that leaves a lacuna. Even after it was passed, there is reason to be cautious because this loophole can be exploited.”
He explained that the law allows electoral officers to revert to Form EC8A when electronic transmission is deemed impossible.
“Who decides when there is no network? Who makes the call to fall back on EC8A? The electoral officer,” he asked, warning that such discretion could easily be abused.
Oseni also raised concerns about the difficulty of verifying election results, noting that uploads on INEC’s IReV portal are not fully justiciable and cannot stand alone as evidence in court.
With Nigeria’s over 176,000 polling units, he argued that proving large-scale irregularities, especially in presidential elections, becomes extremely difficult.
He further recalled that both major political parties, APC and PDP, have been involved in widespread rigging in past elections, stressing that electoral reforms are often pursued only when they align with political interests.
Oseni urged Nigerians not to relax, warning that laws alone do not guarantee credible elections without sustained public scrutiny.
Oseni concluded by stressing the importance of continuous civic oversight:
“Eternal vigilance is key. Don’t be deceived by media headlines claiming victory; the real fight for credible elections is just beginning.”