As calls intensify for the mandatory electronic transmission of election results, former presidential candidate Peter Obi has added his voice, dismissing claims that some states in Nigeria don’t have network coverage.

This came after the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, revealed that real-time transmission of election results, as demanded by the public, may not be possible.

According to Akpabio, who spoke at the launch of a book titled ‘The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria,’ authored by former senator Effiong Bob, some states lack network coverage because of insecurity

The Senate President said, “Real-time transmission means that in over nine states where networks are not working because of insecurity, there will be no election results. Nationally, it means that if the national grid collapses and no network is working, no election results will be valid.”

“All we said during discussion was that we should remove the word real-time. Because if you say real-time and the network or what I may call glitch failure, and then the network is not working, when you go to court, somebody will say it ought to have been real-time, that was all we said, but we left the burden to those who conduct elections. INEC will determine the mode of transfer or transmission of votes,” he added.

However, Obi dismissed the claims, citing financial institutions that conduct daily transactions seamlessly, saying the electoral system should not be an exception.

Obi said this in a post on X a day after joining a peaceful protest at the National Assembly to demand urgent electoral reforms that truly reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

“Our demands were clear and non-negotiable: anyone seeking to hold titles such as Honourable, Distinguished, or Excellency must emerge through a transparent and honourable process. Aspirants for public office should provide verifiable records of their primary, secondary, and tertiary education, along with fulfilling other constitutional requirements such as age and qualifications. No one should aspire to lead without having gone through due process,” he said.

He stated that beyond eligibility, candidates must engage in open campaigns, public scrutiny, and debates as mandated by law. “Most importantly, election results must be transmitted electronically and in real time to protect the people’s mandate and eliminate manipulation,” he said.

“Claims that certain states lack network coverage are no longer acceptable. Financial institutions operate nationwide through secure digital networks to conduct transactions and collect taxes on a daily basis. If banking systems function seamlessly, our electoral system can and should do the same.”

He called on Nigeria to stop being a so-called Giant of Africa that disgraces the continent and instead become a beacon of exemplary governance, beginning with credible elections.

“We owe the younger generation a nation built on order, justice, and trust—not one mired in chaos and impunity. As the agitation continues, I urge our youth, who turned out in large numbers, to remain steadfast and not relent until the necessary reforms are achieved.

“I remain firmly committed to the vision of a New Nigeria—one that is not only possible, but inevitable if we stand and act together,” he said. (The Guardian)

Update news