Former Sokoto State Governor and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has said elections in Nigeria are not entirely determined by the voters.

Tambuwal made this statement on Monday, Jan. 12, during an interview on Prime Time, a political programme aired on Arise Television.

He said that while Nigerians come out to vote, the final outcome of elections is often distorted during collation.

“Elections are not completely decided by electorates. I can say that without mincing words,” Tambuwal said.

“We know, quite often times, at collation level, be it at the polling units, at ward level, at the local government level or the state level or even at the national level, things happen that misrepresent what voters actually voted for.”

According to the former governor, politicians routinely exploit loopholes in the electoral system to manipulate results, particularly during the collation and transmission of votes.

He also blamed part of the problem on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that some officials of the electoral body compromise the integrity of elections.

The former governor, however, expressed strong support for reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework, including the adoption of electronic transmission of results.

“I wholeheartedly support any reform that will improve the electoral process in Nigeria, including electronic transmission,” he said.

On the ideology of political parties in Nigeria, Tambuwal said most of the parties in the country are not ideological driven. According to him, the parties are mere vehicles to particular destinations.

“If it’s about ideology, what was President Muhammadu Buhari doing in the APC with some characters that we have in APC? I don’t want to mention names, but if you look at President Muhammadu Buhari then, the way he was perceived, what was he doing with some characters in politics?”, Tambuwal asked.

He admitted that even in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), politicians who, ideologically should not be bedfellows are members of the party.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has questioned the long absence of President Bola Tinubu from Nigeria.

In a post on his verified X handle on Monday, Obi said the president’s choice to stay away from the country over a long period of time is no longer governance but neglect.

The former Anambra state governor lamented that the lack of Tinubu’s presence starkly contrasts with what is obtainable in developing nations where leaders step up in times of crisis.

“In Nigeria, following U.S. military strikes on our soil, our President remained silent. Instead of directly addressing the nation, Nigerians learned about these critical events from foreign media, American officials, and the vague communications from the Presidency’s aides known for their propaganda, rather than from their own leader.

“In the midst of this chaos, where has our President been? Spending 196 days abroad in 2025 alone, more than he has spent within his own country, at a time when we face profound crises.

“Since December 2025, Nigerians have not heard a word from their President. Reports indicate he opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation was plunged into a New Year marked by hunger, anxiety, and uncertainty. There was no New Year address, no national broadcast, no leadership voice to provide reassurance or guidance.

“This is not governance; it’s neglect. The President was seen abroad yet again for another summit while remaining absent from his own country when he is needed the most. Earlier this year, he even sent an AI-generated image to the nation instead of addressing his people face-to-face,” he wrote.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates former President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, on his birthday, 12 January.

President Tinubu describes Senator Lawan as a seasoned legislator and statesman who has made enduring contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.

The President extols the senator’s decades of distinguished service to the nation as a legislator, particularly his tenure as Senate President, during which he provided steady leadership and upheld the principles of dialogue, stability, and collaborative governance.

The President acknowledges Senator Lawan’s commitment to national unity, good governance, and democratic values, which has earned him respect across party lines and among Nigerians from all walks of life.

“As Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan played a critical role in strengthening the legislature and fostering constructive engagement among the arms of government in the interest of national progress,” the President states.

President Tinubu wishes the legislator good health and renewed strength as he continues to serve the nation.