POLITICS
SDP Demands Real-Time Electronic Transmission of Election Results
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised a strong and urgent voice in defense of transparency, accountability, and the collective will of the Nigerian people through the real-time transmission of election results.
In a press statement issued by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, it’s National Publicity Secretary, the SDP expressed deep concern over what it described as deliberate and unpatriotic resistance by the leadership of the 10th Senate to meaningful electoral reforms.
At the heart of this resistance, the party noted, is the refusal to provide a clear legislative mandate for the real-time electronic transmission of election results—an issue Nigerians have spoken about with one voice.
“Across the country, citizens have made their position unmistakably clear. During the extensive nationwide public hearings conducted by the Senate in 2025 on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2026, Nigerians demanded reforms that would move the nation beyond the credibility challenges that marred the 2023 general elections.
“Their message was simple but powerful: Nigeria’s democracy must be strengthened through modern, transparent, and technology-driven electoral processes.”
The SDP emphasized that tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) are no longer optional innovations but essential safeguards.
These systems, the party argued, significantly reduce human error and block avenues for manipulation that often occur during the manual movement of results by anti-democratic actors.
According to the party, it is increasingly evident that many patriotic senators, the Nigerian electorate, and even the nation’s electoral umpire—the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—are aligned in their desire to move the country forward.
The SDP commended the new leadership of INEC for its positive disposition toward integrity-driven reforms anchored on transparency and credible elections.
However, the party issued a stern warning that a small, self-serving cabal within the Senate leadership must not be allowed to hold Nigeria’s democracy hostage.
In clear terms, the SDP demanded that the new Electoral Act 2026 must contain an unambiguous legal command mandating the real-time electronic transmission of results by polling unit presiding officers.
Anything less, the party warned, would leave room for legal loopholes and future manipulation.
The SDP also reaffirmed its confidence in INEC, noting that the Commission has already demonstrated the infrastructure, technical capacity, and patriotic will to transmit election results electronically in real time—if only it is allowed to operate without political encumbrances.
Invoking the timeless truth that “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom,” the party called on citizens, civil society organizations, and all democrats to rise in defense of Nigeria’s democracy.
It urged collective resistance against any attempt by a few mandate holders to promote personal interests over the national good.
Nigeria, the SDP concluded, cannot afford a repeat of the credibility crisis of the 2023 elections in 2027.
“The moment demands unity, courage, and action. All hands must be on deck to protect the ballot, safeguard democracy, and prevent the nation from sliding backward at a time when progress is both possible and necessary.”
POLITICS
Tinubu Needs Second Term to Complete Reforms, Says Oyetola
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, says President Bola Tinubu needs a second term to complete ongoing reforms and stabilize Nigeria’s economy.
Oyetola, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, said continuity was crucial at this stage of national development.
In a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola said the President required more time to further deliver democratic dividends.
Recall that on Feb. 14, 2026, Oyetola led the Osun APC to endorse Tinubu at a reception in Osogbo.
According to him, the endorsement followed a careful assessment of the administration’s performance and reform agenda.
“Continuity is crucial at this stage of Nigeria’s development.
“A second term will enable the President to consolidate ongoing reforms, complete major infrastructure projects and fully stabilise the economy.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated courage, capacity and commitment to reposition Nigeria.
“What he needs now is time to complete the good job he has started,” Oyetola said.
He said Tinubu took difficult but necessary decisions at the beginning of his tenure to rescue the economy.
“President Tinubu took courageous and necessary decisions at the outset of his administration to rescue Nigeria’s economy from the brink of collapse.
“These bold fiscal and monetary reforms were not easy, but they were inevitable to stabilise the system and restore confidence.
“Today, we are witnessing improved revenue generation, greater transparency in public finance and renewed investor confidence in our economy,” he said.
Oyetola noted that infrastructure development remained central to the administration’s strategy.
“The President has prioritised massive investments in roads, rail, ports and energy infrastructure across the country.
“These strategic projects are expanding economic opportunities, enhancing connectivity and stimulating job creation nationwide.
“They are laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth and long-term national development,” he said.
The minister also commended the President’s social welfare initiatives.
“While pursuing reforms, the administration has not lost sight of the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
“Through targeted intervention programmes, student loan initiatives and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, the government is cushioning reform impacts.
“This demonstrates that the President is not only reform-minded but also compassionate and people-focused,” he said.
Oyetola added that security coordination had improved under Tinubu’s leadership.
He said increased support for law enforcement was strengthening national stability.
The minister assured that APC members in Osun were fully aligned behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Oyetola also expressed confidence that the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, would win the Aug. 15 election in the state.
POLITICS
Oyo APC Urges Members to Disregard Fake Exco Lists in Circulation
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has urged members and the general public to disregard the fake list of new executives of the party at Ward and local government level in circulation.
APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, on Saturday in Ibadan, described the list containing different names of purported new excos members as fake.
Sadare said that the list was being circulated by some mischievous elements to cause disaffection and frustrate the overall interest of the stakeholders and genuine supporters of the APC.
It would be recalled that members of the party in the state participated in the nationwide Ward and LGA congresses held on Feb.
18 and Feb. 21 respectively.At the congresses, new set of officials, expected to manage the affairs of the party at the grassroots level for the next four years, were elected.
According to Sadare, the party is preparing to hold its state congress on Tuesday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
He urged members and supporters of the party to grace the occasion “as all arrangements have been put in place to make it a huge success.
“We have been inundated with reports of some fake documents being circulated on social media platforms as the lists of the newly elected executive committee members for some Wards and Local Government Areas in the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we stand by the outcome of the congresses as successfully done across the 351 Wards and 33 LGAs in the state.
“The consensus arrangement which was prescribed by the national leadership was employed and this gave us the desired results.
“Therefore, nobody should entertain any fear regarding the status of those who emerged as Ward and Local Government Area executive committee members at the concluded congresses.
“Their inauguration will be done as soon as the new State Executive Committee is put in place.
“Also, a new state Exco will emerge on Tuesday through consensus and each of the 33 LGA will have the opportunity to send their choice candidates as representatives.
Sadare urged members and supporters of the party not to worry about the alleged fake list in circulation, stressing “the party is waxing stronger everyday.”
He urged party members and supporters not to entertain fear “as there would be no room for distractions or sabotage from any quarters.
“There is no doubting the fact that APC is the only serious political party in the country, particularly in Oyo state.
“And as democrats, we will always act to sustain constitutional democracy and the rule of law.” he stated.
POLITICS
ADC Opens Free Online Membership Registration Portal Nationwide
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the commencement of its free online membership registration and revalidation exercise nationwide launched in February.
This is contained in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Abdullahi said the new digital platform available at www. adcregistration.ng is crucial to the party’s presentation for the 2027 general elections as well as its various congresses and conventions.
He stated that manual registration would continue simultaneously across the country.
“The new digital registration platform is designed to enable the party to meet requirements of the new Electoral Act 2026 regarding the digital membership register.
“Accordingly, only individuals whose membership details are fully captured and verified in the party’s official digital register will be eligible to vote or be voted for in the party’s primaries.
“Since the launch of the physical and grassroots membership exercise in February, we have recorded strong interests from Nigerians across states and the diaspora.
“It was designed to remove barriers to entry and ensure that every eligible Nigerian, who wishes to identify with the ADC can do so seamlessly and securely,” the party said.
The spokesman urged members who had registered on the party’s previous platform to also revalidate their membership on the new digital portal.
He noted that additional mandatory information is now required to ensure full compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
He encouraged support groups and associations to take advantage of the window to register.
According to him, ADC would like to emphasise that the exercise is without prejudice to our firm objections to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
He added that the party remained committed to building a modern, inclusive, and citizen-driven political movement capable of delivering a better Nigeria that works for all.


