Electoral Act amendment: Network excuse no longer acceptable – Peter Obi

Electoral Act Amendment: Network Excuse No Longer Acceptable — Peter Obi

February 10, 2026

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has renewed calls for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting that claims of poor network coverage in parts of the country are no longer acceptable.

Obi made the call in a statement released on Tuesday after he participated in the “Occupy National Assembly” protest against proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. The statement, titled “Identifying with the People Peacefully for Electoral Integrity,” said his presence at the protest was to press for urgent reforms aimed at safeguarding the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.

“Yesterday, February 9, I participated in a peaceful protest at the National Assembly to demand urgent electoral reforms that truly reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” Obi said.

He described the demands of the protesters as “clear and non-negotiable,” stressing that public office holders must emerge through transparent and credible processes.

“Anyone seeking to hold titles such as Honourable, Distinguished, or Excellency must emerge through a transparent and honourable process,” he said.

Obi also called for stricter enforcement of eligibility requirements for political office, insisting that aspirants must present verifiable educational records and meet all constitutional conditions.

“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,” he said. He added that candidates must also submit themselves to open campaigns, public scrutiny, and debates as required by law.

On the controversy surrounding the transmission of election results, Obi reiterated that real-time electronic transmission remains central to credible elections.

“Most importantly, election results must be transmitted electronically and in real time to protect the people’s mandate and eliminate manipulation,” he said.

He dismissed arguments about inadequate network infrastructure, noting that financial institutions already operate digital systems nationwide.

“Claims that certain states lack network coverage are no longer acceptable. Financial institutions operate across the country using secure digital networks to conduct transactions and collect taxes daily,” Obi stated.

The former Anambra State governor further urged Nigerian youths to sustain pressure on lawmakers until meaningful reforms are achieved.

“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,” he said.

Obi concluded by saying Nigeria must abandon practices that undermine democratic credibility and work towards building “a nation founded on order, justice, and trust.”