Activist and vocal electoral reform advocate Peter Akah has sharply criticised ongoing legislative moves around Nigeria’s electoral framework, declaring that any resistance to making real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory signals a deliberate plan to rig future polls.
In a widely shared video posted on X (formerly Twitter) today, Akah — known online as @Peter4Nigeria — accused political actors of preparing to “steal our mandate” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The Plan is to Steal Our Mandate Nigerians, We Must Mobilize and Resist it MANDATORY REAL-TIME ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS NO BUTS NIGERIANS WAKE UP AND INSIST 2027 = OUR VOTES MUST COUNT” he stated passionately in the clip, which has garnered over 5,500 likes, 3,200 reposts, and tens of thousands of views within hours.
Akah’s outburst comes amid heated public debate following the Senate’s recent handling of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026.
On February 10, the upper chamber — responding to widespread criticism and protests — reversed an earlier position and approved electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Presiding officers are now required to upload results electronically after signing and stamping Form EC8A, with manual collation via the physical form serving as a fallback only in cases of proven network or communication failure.
Despite the change, critics like Akah argue the provision falls short of true mandatory real-time transmission without excuses.
They contend the conditional language leaves room for manipulation, echoing distrust from the controversial 2023 elections where technical “glitches” delayed result uploads and fueled allegations of tampering under former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu.
Akah has repeatedly framed opposition to unconditional electronic transmission as evidence of bad faith.
In prior statements and videos, he has likened network failure excuses to implausible claims, once suggesting authorities should consult even non-state actors familiar with reliable communication in remote areas if technology poses such barriers.
His advocacy aligns with broader civil society calls, youth groups, and figures like Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, who joined demonstrations at the National Assembly demanding stricter digital safeguards.
The Senate’s amendment followed intense pressure, including street protests under hashtags like #OccupyNASS and #ElectoralReform, which Akah has actively promoted.
A conference committee is now harmonizing the Senate’s version with the House of Representatives’ stricter stance favoring mandatory real-time transmission.
Lawmakers aim to finalize the bill swiftly for presidential assent before the end of February.
Akah’s post and accompanying video have amplified public sentiment that only full, non-negotiable electronic transmission can rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
Supporters flooded replies and reposts with calls to sustain mobilization, while the activist continues rallying for sustained action:
“Nigerians, the power of the people versus the criminals in power — which is greater?”
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As the 2027 elections approach, the battle over how votes are recorded and verified remains a litmus test for electoral integrity, with voices like Peter Akah insisting that anything less than mandatory real-time transmission betrays the people’s will.
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