Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will take a measured decision on electronic transmission of election results, guided by Nigeria’s prevailing realities.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Dare assured that the President, whom he described as a committed democrat, would act in the best interest of the country.
“I can assure you that Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a renowned democrat, will do what is right, but it will not be in isolation of the realities of our country,” he said.
Questioning the feasibility of full real-time transmission, Dare noted that no country operates a completely flawless electronic system.
“There’s no 100 per cent real-time transmission anywhere. Are you telling me that this country as it is, is networked enough to have a 100 per cent electronic process?” he asked.
On Nigeria’s ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, where the country was placed 142nd out of 182 countries, Dare maintained that fighting corruption remains a priority for the administration.
“It is a clear priority. The Index is like a yo-yo; countries go up, they come down, depending on peculiar circumstances. Fighting corruption takes time; you can’t put a time label on it,” he said.
He added that institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) are actively carrying out their mandates.
Dare also confirmed that the National Assembly is currently scrutinising the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC)’s unaudited accounts, noting that President Tinubu has shown responsiveness to allegations even before formal verdicts are delivered.
Addressing reports that about 140 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, the presidential aide argued that poverty figures must be viewed alongside economic reforms and macroeconomic indicators.
He cited improved external reserves, exchange rate stability and declining food inflation as signs of progress.
“When inflation tapers down over nine months, it shows clearly that the cost of living is rising at a slower pace, and it indicates that something right is being done about the economy,” Dare said.
On concerns that the Ministry of Health reportedly received only N32 million out of its N218 billion 2025 budget allocation, Dare said further clarification was required, noting that the health sector attracts substantial international funding.
He also dismissed claims of a revenue crisis, stating that the administration had reduced Nigeria’s debt servicing burden significantly.
“There is no revenue crisis. When we were at about 90 per cent debt service ratio, this President has brought it down to about 60 per cent. That’s significant,” he said.
Dare further reiterated the President’s resolve to defeat terrorism, citing ongoing security engagements and international cooperation as evidence of sustained efforts.
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