Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticised the Nigerian Senate’s rejection of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing the move as a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic future.
In a statement posted via his X account on Thursday, Obi said the decision represented a deliberate attempt to weaken electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections. He described it as an “unforgivable act of electoral manipulation” that undermines public trust in the democratic process.
Obi said he had initially refrained from commenting due to the tragic loss of over 150 lives in Kwara State, urging Nigerians to reflect on the broader crisis facing the country. He argued that the rejection of electronic transmission further compounds Nigeria’s challenges, eroding the foundations of credible elections.
According to him, the refusal to adopt real-time electronic transmission — a system widely used in other democracies — preserves loopholes that enable manipulation, disputes, and post-election litigation. He recalled the controversies surrounding the 2023 general election, attributing them to the failure to fully implement electronic transmission and what he described as excuses over a non-existent “glitch.”
Obi warned that Nigeria risks falling behind other African countries that have embraced technology to strengthen democratic accountability, noting that resistance to reform reflects a deeper governance problem. He questioned whether leadership exists to serve the people or to protect the interests of a select few.
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The former governor also criticised what he called a culture of resisting transparency while hosting conferences and drafting policy papers that fail to address the real issues confronting the nation. He said such actions reinforce negative global perceptions of Nigeria and weaken its democratic credibility.
Calling on Nigerians, the political class, and the international community to pay close attention, Obi urged sustained pressure for reforms that guarantee transparent, verifiable, and credible elections. He maintained that Nigeria’s future depends on the willingness of its leaders and citizens to defend democracy and embrace genuine reform.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi said, “but only if we stand firmly for transparency, accountability, and the will of the people.”