Ex-PFN Chair Drags NASS to US, UN Over E-Transmission Row, Warns of Threat to 2027 Polls

 

A former Rivers State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Apostle Eugene Ogu, has petitioned the United States Government and the United Nations over the National Assembly’s rejection of compulsory real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing the move as a grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy.

Ogu, in a petition made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, also urged the European Union and the wider international community to intervene, accusing federal lawmakers of undermining transparent electoral processes.

The cleric, who is the founder of Abundant Life Evangel Mission, said the legislature’s position could erode public trust in elections and trigger widespread unrest if not urgently addressed.

He warned that attempts to weaken electoral transparency would be resisted by Nigerians, alleging that failure to guarantee electronic transmission of results could open the door to manipulation of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, Nigerians have endured years of poor governance marked by corruption, weak infrastructure, insecurity, and declining public services, stressing that the electoral system must not be further compromised.

Part of the petition read: “Only a free, fair, transparent and lawful electoral process with compulsory electronic transmission of results is what Nigerians desire. Any deviation raises serious concerns about the credibility of future elections.”

Ogu maintained that conflicting interpretations about whether electronic transmission is backed by law have deepened public suspicion and called for immediate legislative clarity in favour of real-time digital reporting of results.

He appealed to global democratic institutions and local civil bodies — including labour unions, student groups, professional associations, and religious organisations — to mount pressure on the National Assembly to pass the necessary provisions into law without delay.

The former PFN chairman also urged foreign embassies to review the issuance of travel privileges to Nigerian politicians who, according to him, act against the will of the electorate.

He cautioned that election management bodies and security agencies should not be placed under avoidable tension through a process perceived as opaque, adding that history would remember leaders who guarantee credible elections more than those who merely occupy office.

Ogu, however, commended lawmakers who have publicly supported electronic transmission, calling on others to align with what he described as the popular will of Nigerians.