As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, the debate over how our votes are counted is reaching a fever pitch. Kenneth Okonkwo, the ADC chieftain and veteran actor, is the latest high-profile voice to demand a total ban on manual result transmission.
Speaking Tuesday on Politics Today, Okonkwo’s message was blunt: without mandatory electronic transmission, the "people's government" remains at risk.
Why it Matters: Okonkwo challenged the notion that canceling elections in areas with poor connectivity is "unfair" to voters.To him, the fairness of the vote is irrelevant if the final result is manipulated. "If you do all these things to get a fraudulent result, what have you gained?" he questioned, noting that manual overrides only serve to "embolden criminals."
The Fight for Transparency: The backdrop of this plea is a series of protests at the National Assembly.
While the Senate recently passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, the removal of the phrase "real-time" has sparked nationwide outrage.
"Democracy is not the government of the ADC or APC; it is the government of the people. We must fight for its sustenance," Okonkwo declared.
Currently, a joint committee is working to harmonize the Senate and House versions of the bill.
For Okonkwo and many Nigerians, the goal is simple: ensure the technology works, or the results shouldn't count.
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