The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, has appealed to Nigerians to tread carefully in the ongoing debate surrounding amendments to the Electoral Act, warning against decisions that could later prove regrettable.
Speaking during an appearance on ‘Sunday Politics’ on Channels Television, Dantalle weighed in on the controversy over the electronic transmission of election results, an issue that has generated widespread discussion across the country.
He stressed the need for prudence in pushing electoral reforms, noting that while improvements are necessary, stakeholders must avoid steps that may create unintended consequences.
According to him, the 2023 general election marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He pointed out that for the first time, several sitting governors were unable to secure senatorial seats — a development he described as unprecedented in the nation’s political history.
Dantalle, however, acknowledged that there were challenges during the presidential poll, particularly technical issues that drew criticism from various quarters.
He urged a thorough examination of what transpired before adopting far-reaching changes.
On the proposal to make electronic transmission of results compulsory, the IPAC chairman questioned whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently possesses the technical capacity to implement such a mandate effectively.
He maintained that any reform must be carefully evaluated to ensure it strengthens, rather than complicates, Nigeria’s electoral system.
“But whatever we do, we must also be careful so that we don’t drag into what we’ll end up regretting as Nigerians.
“The 2023 general election was one of the best elections. It was the election that sitting governors could not win senatorial seat.
“It has never happened before in the history of Nigerian democracy.
“Yes, there was a glitch, there was a problem in the presidential election. I think we should look at what really happened.
“When you say electronic transmission of election results, and we must make it a compulsion, does INEC have the capacity of doing that?” He asked.
