Nigerian activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has claimed that most lawmakers would not return to the National Assembly if elections in Nigeria were truly transparent.
Sowore made the statement while reacting to the controversy surrounding recent amendments to the Electoral Act, especially provisions on the electronic transmission of election results.
He spoke after the Senate amended the Electoral Act to allow electronic transmission of results but retained a clause permitting manual collation in areas with poor internet connectivity — a decision that has attracted criticism from many Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television, Sowore argued that lawmakers are reluctant to support reforms that would strengthen electoral transparency because they fear losing their positions.
“This excuse that there is no network in some states is just another balloon air on the part of these guys.
“They don’t want transparent elections because if elections are transparent, 90 per cent of them will not make it to the National Assembly and of course the presidency and other elected positions, they know that,” Sowore said.
