The Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF) has issued a statement demanding the retention of a crucial clause in the 2026 Electoral Amendment Bill, insisting that real-time electronic transmission of election results must be made compulsory.
In a press statement released on Sunday, the forum aligned with calls from other groups and citizens, urging the National Assembly to retain Clause 60 as passed by the House of Representatives and harmonised by the Joint Conference Committee.
The SMBLF described free, fair, and transparent elections as the “foundation of democracy”, warning that weakening it is an attack on the sovereignty of the people, according to a statement signed by the leader of SMBLE and Afenifere, HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and 3 others on Sunday.
It highlighted that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) is a key tool for transparency, arguing that when backed by law, it removes secrecy, manipulation, and post-election confusion.
The SMBLF expressed “deep concern” over what it called a discrepancy in the Senate’s process, noting that a broad section of the Senate had openly affirmed voting in favour of mandatory real-time electronic transmission.
However, the forum stated it is “alarmed by credible claims” that the Senate President tampered with the final version, leading to an unauthorised bill that excludes the provision.
The group pointed to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate Minority Leader, who has publicly stated that the Senate passed a version making the transmission mandatory, only for a different version—without the clause—to surface later. “This is unacceptable in a democratic legislature,” SMBLF declared.
Referencing the 2023 presidential election petition, the forum recalled that the Supreme Court relied on a clause in the 2022 Electoral Act that made electronic transmission optional, ruling it was at INEC’s discretion.
“That legal loophole must not be repeated. The law must be clear, firm, and mandatory,” the statement read, emphasising it.
The SMBLF dismissed the common argument that a lack of telecom coverage in some areas is an impediment, citing INEC’s explanation that the BVAS device has inbuilt offline technology that stores and uploads results once connectivity is available.
The forum listed key reasons for its insistence on mandatory electronic transmission, adding “blocking result manipulation during movement from polling units, strengthening public trust, protecting votes in vulnerable communities, reducing post-election violence and legal disputes, and compelling leaders to be accountable.”
Linking electoral integrity to national security, the statement said compromised elections lead to unaccountable leadership, contributing to the current climate of insecurity.
It cited the recent massacre in Woro, Kwara State, and widespread killings, arguing that such “reckless, negligent, and indifferent governance” would not thrive if leaders knew votes truly counted.
The SMBLF reiterated its call for state police and the restructuring of Nigeria based on the 2014 National Conference recommendations.
The statement concluded with a strong warning to the Senate: “We want to strongly warn the Senate not to undermine the will of the Nigerian electorate by toying with the future of our democracy. The Senate must assume the people are powerless or forgetful, as the Nigerian people are watching. History is also recording.”
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