‘Put E-Transmission in Law or Resign’ — SDP’s Adewole Adebayo Issues Ultimatum to Tinubu and NASS

The legal and political showdown over Nigeria’s electoral future reached a boiling point on Monday as Chief Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), issued a chilling warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the capital, Adebayo declared that any attempt to scuttle the mandatory electronic transmission of election results would be viewed as a formal “end to democracy,” warning that the political class would be forced to vacate their offices at the expiration of their current tenure if the reforms are not enacted.

‘No E-Transmission, No Election’

Speaking amidst the growing unrest at the National Assembly gates, where Mr Peter Obi and civil society groups are currently staged, Adebayo pulled no punches. He accused the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate of “legislative sabotage” for rejecting the real-time result transmission clause.

“If you don’t make electronic transmission of results possible, it means you want an end to this democracy, and we will give it to you,” Adebayo stated defiantly. “If that amendment doesn’t hold, then there will be no elections in 2027, and at the termination of your tenure, you will leave the office. This is because it is what the people want.”

Adebayo’s ultimatum arrives as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition parties label the Senate’s stance a “Renewed Rigging Plan.” The SDP chieftain argued that the Nigerian public, already battered by a ₦152 trillion national debt and petrol prices nearing ₦1,000, will no longer tolerate an “opaque” electoral process.

The “network coverage” excuse, which David Mark recently slammed as a ‘front’ for INEC, was further dismissed by Adebayo as a “cheap ploy” to maintain the status quo of manual manipulation.

The Joint Committee Standoff

The fate of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill now hangs by a thread as the Joint Conference Committee continues its closed-door session.

• The ‘Obi’ Momentum: The presence of Peter Obi at the protest has galvanised the youth, many of whom see the “rigging plan” as a move to suppress the 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty.
• The ‘Malami’ Contrast: Protesters are also referencing the remand of former AGF Abubakar Malami, arguing that if the law can catch a “sacred cow,” it must also be allowed to protect the sanctity of the ballot.

Constitutional Crisis Looms?

Legal analysts warn that Adebayo’s call for officials to “leave office” at the end of their tenure without a fresh election could trigger a massive constitutional vacuum. However, the SDP leader maintained that “sovereignty belongs to the people,” and any government that refuses to protect the vote forfeits its right to lead.

As of Monday afternoon, February 9, 2026, neither the Presidency nor the Senate leadership has responded to the SDP’s ultimatum.