*My take on the Electronic Transmission of Election Results*
I have observed with keen interest since yesterday when we took decision on the workability of Electronic Transmission of Election results in this country. Truly, the issue is beyond the sentiment it is currently generating and as such, it deserves that we critically assess the latent negative backlash such method will cause if adopted NOW.
First of all, let’s look at the level of network coverage across the nation especially in the rural areas where we have predominant settlement of voters. Before this noble method of electronic result transmission is done, there ought to be tangible and intangible supporting infrastructures that are supposed to be in place and that is what my committee in partnership with other relevant agencies is trying to do. Setting emotions aside, I think the best thing to do is to first of all, have at least 80-90% rural areas network coverage or should we disenfranchise majority of our voters in the name of experimenting with National Elections.
Secondly, my working partnership with the Nation’s Cyberdome in the last few years has reasonable impact on my decision to vote in the manner that I did at the plenary. For clarity sake, Cyberdome is charged with the responsibility of intercepting influx of spam messages to government establishment. If you know the volume of calculated activities of hackers against Nigeria both from within and outside the shores of this country, you will better appreciate my decision in this matter. Some persons are assiduously working with foreign mercenaries to impose political leaders on us but our emotions will not allow us to admit it. Is Senator Oseni saying electronic transmission of election results is a bad idea? Hell no! I am saying we cannot afford to experiment that with our national elections for NOW. Have you ever sat and ask yourself why some persons insisted on the phantom INEC SERVER in the last general election? Some people, with the support of foreigners have perfected their plans to impose President on us! If America, as developed as we consented are still battling with the activities of hackers which made Donald Trump still lay claim to victory, what more of Nigeria?
Lastly, my decision to vote in the manner that I did is in the best interest of the people of Kogi State. Kogi State and North-Central in general have been relegated in the scheme of things in this country especially at the national level. But our very own Governor in Kogi State is trying to right the wrong by coming out to contest and you think opposition both within and outside the shores of this country will be happy about that? Electronic transmission of election results is good but we are not yet ripe infrastructurally and technology wise to adopt it NOW. I urge us all to shelve our emotions or divorce sentiments from this very important topic which is crucial to the stability and political development of our nation. There are real national and international agents sponsored by unscrupulous elements in our political circle to subvert the will of the people of this country.
The above undeniable concerns were also shared by majority members of Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology/Cybercrime which I am privileged to preside. Our position is that, we are fully in support of electronic transmission of results but this is subject to the readiness of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) in terms of area network coverage. However, as Chairman of the committee that has virtually gone round all our ICT infrastructure in the country and as well abreast of their state, I can’t for NOW allow our electoral process to be truncated.
*Senator Yakubu Oseni*