Dare Babalola
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu might exploit Electoral Act loopholes to manipulate 2027 election results, saying the government lacks confidence in a free and fair win.
El-Rufai told DCL Hausa that allowing manual transmission of results in areas without internet creates a loophole for interference before results reach collation centres.
“Starlink has connection all over the country we can utilise that to ensure access so live election results transmission can occur. If that is included into the law and Tinubu approves, then this will aid greatly in ensuring free and fair election because leaving this clause open means results can still be manipulated before it reaches the collation center,” he said.
In addition, the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of pushing to retain the old result collation method, citing poor internet connectivity as a pretext.
“We know how they think; that is why the APC wants the old method to remain by claiming there is no network on the day of the elections,” el-Rufai said.
The former governor recommended that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) engage satellite internet providers, such as Starlink, to guarantee comprehensive connectivity across the nation during elections.
“We could connect to Starlink, INEC can independently contract them to eliminate any possibility of manipulation of results,” he stated.
Dismissing claims that some communities lacked internet access, El-Rufai said, “I heard one senator lying that in his village there is no internet, but it’s embarrassing that a former governor of eight years is making such claims.”
He cautioned against any attempts to shut down internet services on election day, citing Uganda’s recent experience as a notable example.
“We know their plans, like the recent incidence in Uganda where the internet connection was shutdown completely on the day of the election, which can’t happen in Nigeria; we are above that,” he said.
“They might use their power to try and enforce internet shutdown on the day of the election because they are not God-fearing; they don’t even fear the devil who is their companion,” he said.
While describing the push for electronic transmission of election results as “a great progress in the right direction,” he insisted Nigerians must remain vigilant.
“We and all Nigerians will pay attention to ensure no manipulation is done by using this loophole that election results can be transmitted using the old method if there is no internet in the area,” he added.
Regarding claims his criticism of President Tinubu escalated after he was excluded from a ministerial appointment, el-Rufai dismissed the notion.
“There is nothing special about being a minister; I have already occupied that position when I was in my 40s. Even if I had been with them in the start, I would have resigned and continued opposing them if they are not on the path of Nigeria’s progress. That has always been my style,” he said.
He further alleged that some current ministers “paid” to be appointed.
El-Rufai also accused the Tinubu administration of selective anti-corruption enforcement.
“If you are with the Tinubu administration, even if you violate the law, nothing will happen. Look at Yahaya Bello, after all the efforts of the EFCC to remand him, now he is walking around freely and enjoying life. But Malami, who said he is with the ADC, they have singled him out,” he claimed.
He added, “Nuhu Ribadu will pick up the phone and give directive for the EFCC to arrest someone, which is out of his official responsibility. I am ashamed to think he was my friend at one point; it is disheartening to see.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency and the National Security Adviser (NSA) had not issued responses to the allegations.
