Bugaje Accuses Lawmakers of Blocking Electronic Transmission to Enable Election Rigging

Dr Usman Bugaje, Islamic scholar and political activist, has accused some lawmakers of deliberately opposing the mandatory electronic transmission of election results to give certain political actors an undue advantage.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Bugaje dismissed claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks the capacity to transmit results electronically, describing them as “alibis to prepare for rigging.”

He questioned the Senate’s authority to speculate on INEC’s operational capabilities, noting that the commission itself has affirmed its ability to conduct real-time electronic transmission.

Bugaje highlighted that network coverage across Nigeria is sufficient to support electronic result transmission, pointing out that even remote areas have mobile connectivity, point-of-sale devices, and WhatsApp communication.

“These are all excuses given because they want to attenuate the electoral system and give certain people the advantage to rig our elections like they have done in the past,” Bugaje said.

He referenced the 2023 elections, alleging irregularities when electronic transmission was interrupted during the presidential results, leading to unresolved controversies. “Even last year, they switched off [the system], and all sorts of images were coming. Nobody has adequately explained what happened,” he added.

Bugaje urged that the Electoral Act be enforced to allow electronic result transmission, stressing that the process could be implemented within a month if properly managed. He argued that delaying or blocking electronic transmission undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.