Electoral Act: We Must Stop Akpabio, The Devil Has Started Talking To Him – Adebayo
Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has warned that the delay in transmitting results could lead to manipulation.
He stated this during an appearance on Channels Television, where he shared his thoughts on the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act.
Adebayo argued that the proposed amendment requiring prompt transmission of election results was designed to prevent undue interference in the electoral process.
He accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of actions capable of undermining democracy, adding that the devil has started talking to him.
Adebayo argued that the office of the Senate President demands seriousness and respect for democratic principles, noting that previous holders of the position, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Joseph Wayas, and Chuba Okadigbo, upheld the integrity of the office.
He warned against what he termed “legislative rascality,” stressing that the matter was not partisan but fundamental to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He said, “What the provision in the proposed new Electoral Act is saying is that you send the election results with your God’s heart before the devil starts talking to you. That’s what it’s saying.
“The devil has started talking to Akpabio now; that’s why we want to stop him from the beginning.
“Look, this position of Senate President, he is not the first to be there. Nnamdi Azikiwe was there. Joseph Wayas was there, including Chuba Okadigbo, up to his own time. Why does he want to end democracy with legislative rascality? This is something important; it’s not a political issue.
“You cannot be in that office and be an errand boy for foreign or outside interests. There is equality of the branches of government, and the Senate has the power to do everything on behalf of the people, including the power to approve whether the President goes to war or not. You need to be serious. If you are not a serious person by nature, immediately you sit on that seat, you must be serious. It is the same position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
