By Cllement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the rules governing the publication and reporting of polling-unit results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Agbakoba, in a letter dated October 12, 2026, addressed to INEC and shared on his X handle on Wednesday, argued that Nigerians should be able to accurately report figures contained in authentic polling-unit result sheets already available in the public domain.
He stressed that the formal declaration of election results remained the exclusive responsibility of INEC, insisting that such responsibility should not be confused with the publication, discussion and scrutiny of existing electoral records.
The senior lawyer cited Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Sections 25 and 124(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, to support his argument that access to electoral information should translate into meaningful public scrutiny.
According to him, the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) provides a practical test of the distinction, as citizens, journalists, political parties and election observers need clarity on whether they can discuss figures displayed on authentic result sheets and report discrepancies.
Agbakoba warned that allowing public access to result sheets without providing certainty about the scope of permissible reporting could make such access merely nominal rather than meaningful.
He also referenced a 1984 Lagos High Court judgment in Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT & 2 Ors. v. Inspector-General of Police, which he said concerned the publication of results announced at polling centres.
The former NBA president noted that, to his knowledge, the decision had not been appealed. He also cited the June 12, 1993 presidential election as an example of the importance of public visibility in the electoral process.
However, Agbakoba acknowledged the risks associated with publishing election figures prematurely, warning that information released without proper verification could mislead the public.
He maintained that the need for accuracy should encourage clear identification of sources and transparent procedures for correcting discrepancies rather than leave Nigerians uncertain about what they can lawfully report.
As part of his recommendations, Agbakoba said he had asked INEC to explain the practical steps required to publish verified electoral records within two hours of the close of polls or the completion of counting, where feasible.
He said the proposed timeline would require a transparent process that prioritises accuracy while ensuring timely access to reliable electoral information.
Precise Post recalls that Agbakoba’s intervention comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the debate highlighting the relationship between electoral transparency, freedom of expression and INEC’s statutory responsibility for the formal declaration of results.
