By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
As the country and outside world await the decision of the Federal House of Representatives today on the Electronic Transmission of Results contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill just passed by the National Assembly (NASS), Nigerians are looking up to two prominent citizens to prevail on the House Members to allow electronic transmission of election results.
The House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila had on Thursday announced to House Members that the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta have been invited to appear before the House before Members will vote on the contentious Electronic Transmission of Results.
A community leader in Eziama Autonomous Community, Imo state Chief Charles Emeka Azubuike, has urged the INEC and NCC bosses to save the Nigerian democracy by advising the House leadership and entire Members to vote in favour of Electronic Transmission of Results in the 2023 General Election.
According to him: “should Professors Mahmood of INEC and Dambata of NCC fail to guarantee the efficiency of Electronic Transmission of Results in the next elections, Nigerians will loose interest in the electoral process and may not participate in future elections”.
Azubuike who runs hotel and fast-food business in Nigeria says people like him will be forced to withdraw from political involvement if the people’s wishes will not reflect in the elections.
Also Alhaji Tanimu Ahmed Lawal argued that INEC Chairman and his NCC counterpart have date with history today when they appear before the House of Representatives in Abuja hence they should be mindful of their integrity.
According to Lawal if both the INEC and NCC Chief Executive Officers fail to be on the part of Nigerians, history will not be kind to them just as he said they should be very professional and to advise the House Members with facts and figures.
