The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said recent clarifications by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe have reaffirmed the Senate’s long-standing support for the deployment of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process, including the electronic transmission of results, in line with the Electoral Act and subject to the operational capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement signed by the Lagos APC Spokesman, Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, on Friday, the party said the clarifications decisively dispelled what it described as a false and misleading narrative that the Senate rejected electronic transmission of election results—a claim it said was amplified by former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, without adequate reference to the legislative facts.
According to the Lagos APC, the Senate did not at any point oppose electronic transmission of results, but rather acted responsibly by strengthening the legal framework to ensure that technology deployment in elections remains credible, secure and consistent with INEC’s technical readiness. The party said describing this position as a “rejection” amounted to a misrepresentation of legislative procedure.
The APC criticised what it described as Mr. Obi’s recurring tendency to rush to public commentary on sensitive national issues without sufficient verification, noting that leadership requires restraint, accuracy and depth, particularly from individuals seeking the nation’s highest office.
The party further expressed concern that repeated efforts to cast the electoral process in a negative light risk undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy and unnecessarily heightening political tensions. It warned that such narratives could fuel mistrust and division, placing personal political ambition above national stability.
The statement added that the latest episode fits into what it called a growing pattern of premature and inaccurate interventions by Mr. Obi on complex legislative, economic and policy matters, often contradicted by official records and responsible authorities. It also pointed to what it described as selective use of statistics and context-stripped narratives that have weakened the credibility of his public engagements.
Equally, the Lagos APC criticised what it termed Mr. Obi’s persistent emphasis on Nigeria’s shortcomings, particularly on international platforms, warning that while constructive criticism is essential in a democracy, unbalanced portrayals could undermine investor confidence and national morale.
The party also raised concerns over what it described as the dangers of social media populism, noting that premature statements, reversals and controversies have followed such engagements. It stressed the importance of leadership that promotes national cohesion and measured engagement on sensitive national issues.
The Lagos APC concluded that democracy thrives on truth, accuracy, restraint and responsibility, not on misrepresentation or disparagement of national institutions. It said Nigeria deserves leadership anchored in diligence, emotional intelligence and patriotism.
