The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the National Assembly’s amendment to the Electoral Act 2022, describing it as a “treacherous betrayal” of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party accused lawmakers of undermining democracy by removing the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
The PDP said the decision contradicts the clear will of Nigerians who had demanded electronic transmission to guarantee transparency and protect the sanctity of the ballot.
According to the party, the House of Representatives’ sudden reversal and the Senate’s support for the amendment show “disdain for the Nigerian electorate” and signal an attempt to create room for electoral manipulation.
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The PDP also faulted provisions restricting party primaries to direct and consensus methods, describing them as an unconstitutional intrusion into the internal affairs of political parties.
It argued that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has consistently affirmed the autonomy of political parties to manage their internal processes.
The party further accused the ruling party of hypocrisy, noting that it had demanded electronic voting in 2015 but now opposes electronic transmission of results.
The PDP called on Nigerians, organised labour and civil society groups to use lawful means to protest what it described as anti-democratic actions of the National Assembly.
It warned that Nigeria’s democracy must not be allowed to decline “in the hands of retrogressive politicians masquerading as legislators.
