He noted that the outcome of the amendment process reflected the collective will of all parties represented in the National Assembly.
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, has defended the National Assembly’s handling of real-time electronic transmission in the newly amended Electoral Act, describing lawmakers as pragmatic and realistic in their decision.
Morka spoke on Monday during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, while reacting to the recent passage of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly and its swift signing into law by Bola Tinubu.
The President had assented to the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 less than 24 hours after it was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives — a move that has sparked debate across the country, with critics questioning the speed of the signing.
Backing the legislature’s action, Morka said lawmakers took into account the country’s technological realities before making their decision.
“The Senate and the House of Representatives, in passing the Electoral Act, were being very pragmatic and realistic, taking into account the state of address of communication technology in our country,” he said.
He noted that the outcome of the amendment process reflected the collective will of all parties represented in the National Assembly.
“Let’s keep in mind that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is not the only party in our National Assembly. We have other parties there.
“So whatever the outcome of deliberations and bills that are passed through the National Assembly must be considered as the output of the combined effort and collective will of all members of the legislature.”
The APC spokesman stressed the need for Nigerians to balance aspirations with existing infrastructure limitations.
“We must be realistic as a people. It’s okay for people to aspire to the greatest ideals in the finest condition.
“But I think that when we look at our country, I’m speaking to you right now from Asaba, Delta state, and before I connected this morning, I went through literally about three networks to be able to find a stable connectivity to be on this show.
“I don’t know whether Nigerians assume that whatever is going on in Lagos or in Abuja is the same in the rest of the country in terms of facilities.
“I, too, wish it were different. I wish all of the connectivity issueswere sorted so that we can upload real-time electronic transmission of election results.”
– PUNCH