ABUJA — Former Senate President David Mark has waded into the brewing constitutional crisis in the National Assembly, delivering a direct rebuttal to Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
Mark, a veteran of the Red Chamber, cautioned the current Senate leadership against usurping the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or using “technical excuses” to stall democratic progress.
‘Let INEC Decide Its Capacity’
The exchange follows the controversial vote in the 10th Senate where the APC-led majority rejected amendments to the Electoral Act that would have made real-time result transmission compulsory for 2027. Akpabio and his supporters had argued that poor network coverage across Nigeria would make the law “unworkable.”
Responding to this stance, David Mark insisted that the role of the legislature is to provide a legal framework that reflects the will of the people, not to preemptively declare an agency’s failure.
“Just pass the law because that is what the people want,” Mark stated in a sharp response to Akpabio. “Let INEC now decide if they can do it or not. Do not speak for INEC.”
A House Divided: The Conference Committee Battle
Mark’s intervention lends heavyweight support to Clement Nwankwo (PLAC) and other civil society leaders who allege that the Senate resolution does not reflect the “majority” view of the chamber.
The Legislative Split: While the Senate has rejected the clause, the House of Representatives is leaning toward retaining mandatory electronic transmission.
Pressure on the Gavel: Mark’s remarks highlight a growing sentiment that the 10th Senate is “mutilating” the law to favour the ruling party, a claim recently echoed by the ADC’s “Renewed Rigging Plan” statement.
Diplomatic and Social Backlash
The internal legislative feud is unfolding as the administration’s image takes hits on the international stage.
The Washington Snub: While the Senate debates the “impossibility” of technology, U.S. broadcaster Tony Perkins and advocate Judd Saul have accused the government of a “propaganda cover-up” during the First Lady’s visit to Washington D.C.
Grassroots Anger: At home, the killing of 300 Christians in 72 hours and the petrol price nearing ₦1,000 have left many Nigerians “depressed,” according to Nwankwo.
The Path Forward
David Mark urged the National Assembly to prioritize voter confidence over partisan survival. Analysts suggest that Mark’s public rebuke of Akpabio signifies a deepening fracture among Nigeria’s political elite as they prepare for the 2027 general elections.
As of Monday morning, February 9, 2026, the Senate leadership has yet to respond to the former Senate President’s critique.
