Opposition party warns INEC against repeat of 2023 glitches, accuses APC of early electioneering and neglecting governance.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded strict compliance with the Electoral Act provisions on electronic transmission of results during the 2027 general elections, warning that it will resist any attempts to undermine the integrity of the process or subvert the will of Nigerians.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, September 15, 2025, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, raised concerns about what he described as “institutional manipulation” in previous polls. He stressed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must guarantee real-time transmission of results from polling units as mandated under Section 64 (4), (5), and (6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the use of Smart Card Readers or other electronic devices.
Citing the 2023 general elections, Ologunagba faulted INEC for failing to transmit results as promised, blaming “technical glitches.” He insisted that such excuses would not be acceptable in 2027. “If POS machines function reliably across the remotest parts of Nigeria, then BVAS machines cannot conveniently fail on election day. That would not be an accident but a deliberate act of manipulation. Nigerians will not tolerate it again,” he said.
The PDP spokesman argued that Nigeria’s robust technological infrastructure, including ATM and mobile payment systems, proves seamless electronic transmission is possible. He questioned why BVAS devices, equipped with backup batteries, often malfunctioned only during crucial election moments, describing it as “a calculated effort to frustrate the will of voters.”
“The 2027 elections must be free, fair, and transparent. INEC has no excuse this time. The era of glitches is over. Nigerians deserve credible elections, and the PDP will not allow anything less,” Ologunagba declared.
He further criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he termed “premature electioneering” and “endorsement shopping,” accusing the party of overheating the polity and distracting from its responsibilities in governance. “If the APC and President Bola Tinubu were truly delivering, they would not be desperate for endorsements. Nigerians are struggling to feed, pay school fees, or afford basic necessities, yet this government wants to impose a five percent tax on petroleum products from January. That is not governance; that is punishment,” he said.
According to Ologunagba, the APC’s early focus on campaigns less than two years before the 2027 polls shows panic over the PDP’s ongoing reconciliation and restructuring efforts. He alleged that the ruling party was abandoning governance to chase political survival, while even INEC had expressed frustration over premature politicking.
The PDP’s renewed push for electoral transparency reflects widespread anxiety about the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process. The party vowed to safeguard the people’s mandate in 2027 and ensure that elections truly reflect the will of Nigerians.
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