|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has warned political actors against any attempt to weaken the electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the system remains critical to credible and transparent polls in Nigeria.
The coalition said electronic transmission of results is the strongest safeguard against manipulation, stressing that it blocks interference by politicians, corrupt officials and vested interests during collation.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group expressed concern over what it described as growing efforts by some political figures to dilute or halt the full deployment of electronic result transmission.
CNG noted that Nigeria’s electoral history has been riddled with disputes, most of which arise at the collation and counting stage rather than at the point of voting. According to the group, results are often altered in ways that do not reflect the will of voters.
The coalition declared that electronic transmission is non-negotiable, describing it as the final barrier against electoral theft. It argued that Nigeria has endured years of manipulated elections in which figures mysteriously change, winning votes disappear and voters’ choices are overridden by powerful political interests.
According to CNG, electronic transmission eliminates this “criminal space” by ensuring that once results leave polling units, they cannot be altered by desperate politicians or compromised officials. It added that the system protects the ballot, restores public confidence and promotes national stability.
The group accused some elements within the National Assembly, including those linked to the Senate President, of sponsoring remarks, actions and legislative moves aimed at weakening the electronic transmission framework. It described such efforts as dangerous, regressive and anti-democratic, warning that they could plunge the country back into disputed elections and post-election violence.
CNG cautioned that repeated flawed elections could further erode public trust, fuel instability and raise serious questions about the legitimacy of government.
It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist pressure and retain the full electronic transmission system without compromise, while calling on the National Assembly to reject any legislation that could reduce transparency in the electoral process.
The coalition argued that opposition to electronic transmission is driven by beneficiaries of the old system, who fear a process where every vote counts and cannot be manipulated. It reminded lawmakers that their authority derives from the people and not from political privilege.
CNG stressed that the National Assembly exists to strengthen democracy, not to shield political interests, warning that history would judge harshly anyone who attempts to weaken electoral transparency.
It added that credible elections are essential not only for democracy but also for national security, economic stability, investor confidence and social cohesion, warning that loss of faith in the electoral process often leads to unrest.
The group called on civil society organisations, youth groups and the media to intensify advocacy and monitoring efforts, while urging Nigerians across regions and political divides to hold their leaders accountable.
CNG vowed to resist any attempt to reverse electoral reforms, insisting that only fair, transparent and technology-driven elections would be acceptable to Nigerians.
Asing off, the coalition declared that the era of electoral opacity is over, stressing that Nigerians will not tolerate any move to undermine credible, modern elections in 2027.
