Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said claims that certain states lack network coverage are no longer acceptable, calling for the electronic transmission of election results in real time across Nigeria.
Obi made the call on Tuesday after joining the “Occupy the National Assembly” protest, organised by members of the Obidient Movement and pro-democracy activists, who accused lawmakers of undermining electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on the sidelines, Obi said he had participated in the protest to “demand urgent electoral reforms that truly reflect the will of the Nigerian people.”
According to Obi, anyone seeking public office must meet constitutional requirements and undergo transparent processes.
He stressed that candidates should provide verifiable records of their primary, secondary, and tertiary education and engage in open campaigns, public scrutiny, and debates.
“No one should aspire to lead without having gone through due process,” he said.
On the issue of electronic voting and result transmission, Obi argued that network excuses could no longer justify delays or manipulation.
“Most importantly, election results must be transmitted electronically and in real time to protect the people’s mandate and eliminate manipulation. Claims that certain states lack network coverage are no longer acceptable,” he said, pointing out that financial institutions operate nationwide through secure digital networks daily.
“If banking systems function seamlessly, our electoral system can and should do the same,” Obi added.
He urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to remain engaged and committed to credible elections, noting that the country must stop being “a so-called Giant of Africa that disgraces the continent” and instead become “a beacon of exemplary governance, beginning with credible elections.”
Recall that Obi joined hundreds of demonstrators at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Monday, protesting the Senate’s removal of the phrase “real-time” from electronic transmission provisions in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Protesters carried placards reading “Our votes must count,” “No to electoral robbery,” and “Protect democracy now,” as they marched from the Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly.
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