ABUJA — Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has set social media ablaze with a blistering critique of Nigeria’s top lawmakers, accusing them of using “poor network” as a convenient excuse to block transparent elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Sowore didn’t pull any punches, specifically calling out Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole in a series of colorful—and highly personal—analogies that have since gone viral.
The “Girlfriend Network” Theory
Sowore’s argument was simple: if Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is strong enough for high-stakes banking and private romance, it is strong enough for democracy. He mocked the idea that the National Assembly cannot find the connectivity to transmit election results electronically.
“If you can send millions of Naira from your phone, you should be able to vote from your phone,” Sowore declared. “There’s no state Akpabio goes to that he doesn’t find network to connect with his girlfriends. There’s no state that Oshiomhole goes to that he doesn’t find network to rub the feet of a lady…”
The Fight for Electronic Transmission
The activist’s “bombshell” remarks come at a time of intense national debate over the Electoral Act Amendment. While the Senate has recently flirted with the idea of retaining manual collation in areas with “poor internet,” Sowore dismissed this as a deliberate loophole for electoral fraud.
- The Hypocrisy Gap:Â Sowore argued that the same politicians who claim the “bush” has no network for BVAS machines never seem to have trouble making calls or transfers from those same remote areas.
- The “Fear” Factor:Â He bluntly stated that “90% of current lawmakers” would be voted out of office if a foolproof electronic system were mandated, which is why they are “scared” of the technology.
National Assembly Under Pressure
The Senate President’s office has previously insisted that the Senate is not “against” electronic transmission but must consider the “realities” of Nigeria’s rural infrastructure. However, Sowore’s remarks have refocused the public’s anger on what many see as a lack of political will rather than a lack of towers.
As the “Occupy National Assembly” protests continue to simmer in Abuja, Sowore’s viral takedown has become the rallying cry for those demanding that the 2027 elections move entirely away from the “manual” era of ballot snatching and altered result sheets.
