Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District
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 as his current position.
In a statement released yesterday, the former Abia State governor accused political opponents of deliberately circulating footage from the 9th Senate during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, falsely presenting it as recent 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,” Senator Kalu explained.
The lawmaker pointed to clear evidence in the video, showing senators wearing face masks—a practice widespread during the 2020 pandemic—as proof that the footage is outdated.
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 said.
The senator attributed the circulation of the video to “serial election losers and desperate political actors” seeking to mislead the public for political gain as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
He urged Nigerians to exercise discernment and “remain intellectually vigilant” against what he termed “recycled falsehoods” from “disgruntled political elements.”
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about electoral reform in Nigeria, where the electronic transmission of results has become a contentious issue in efforts to improve transparency and reduce electoral fraud.
