The opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised concerns over the Senate's recent decision to include an 'escape clause' in the electoral bill that would permit manual transmission of election results if electronic methods fail. This change threatens the credibility of the 2027 general elections, according to the PDP. The party has urged the National Assembly's Conference Committee to adopt the House of Representatives' version of the bill, which mandates real-time electronic transmission, as the final compromise.

The PDP characterized the Senate's move as a deceptive attempt to reduce electoral transparency. They expressed that the reconsideration of mechanisms for transmitting election results reflects a lack of commitment to ensuring a trustworthy electoral process. The Senate has justified its decision by stating concerns related to infrastructure and the potential for technological failure, suggesting that a more pragmatic approach is necessary for effective election administration.

This decision has not only drawn ire from the PDP but also sparked protests from civil society organizations and labor unions advocating for transparent elections. The opposition argues that reverting to manual transmissions opens the door to potential manipulation and corruption, thereby undermining public confidence in the electoral process as Nigeria approaches what is expected to be a contentious electoral cycle in 2027.