Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has strongly refuted claims that he opposed the electronic transmission of election results, describing as “appalling” the circulation of a five-year-old video falsely portraying his stance.
In a statement released yesterday, the former Abia State governor accused political opponents of deliberately sharing footage from the 9th Senate during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, presenting it as remarks from the current 10th Senate.
“It is both appalling and surprising that in this era of socio-technological advancement, some individuals, particularly young people, would sink so low as to believe and circulate a five-year-old video,” Kalu said.
The senator pointed out that senators in the video are wearing face masks—a clear marker of the 2020 pandemic—as proof of the footage’s age.
Senator Kalu emphasised that he has not opposed electronic transmission of results at any point during the 10th Senate, whether in public hearings, plenary sessions, or executive meetings.
“Given the significant improvements in technology over the past five years, I, alongside the Senate President and many Senators across party lines, have consistently supported the electronic transmission of results as provided for in Section 60(3),” he stated.
He attributed the circulation of the outdated video to “serial election losers and desperate political actors” seeking to mislead the public ahead of upcoming elections.
Kalu urged Nigerians to exercise discernment and “remain intellectually vigilant” against what he described as “recycled falsehoods” from “disgruntled political elements.”
The controversy underscores ongoing debates around electoral reform in Nigeria, where the electronic transmission of results has become a contentious issue in the country’s efforts to enhance transparency and curb electoral fraud.
