Photo: Obi with other activists during the protest in Abuja
By: Daniel Kanu
Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi said on Tuesday that if banks can function seamlessly across the country, then Nigeria’s electoral process should be able to do the same, as he renewed calls for urgent electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the remarks in Abuja after joining a group of protesters at the National Assembly Complex on Monday.
The demonstration, said to be organised by members of the Obidient Movement and civil society activists, opposed the Senate’s decision to amend the Electoral Act in a way critics say weakens provisions for real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Addressing journalists and supporters on the sidelines of the protest, Obi rejected claims by Senate leaders that network limitations in some parts of the country make real-time result transmission unworkable.
He argued that Nigeria’s financial system already operates nationwide using secure digital networks, and that similar technology should be applied to the electoral process.
“Financial institutions operate nationwide through secure digital networks to conduct transactions and collect taxes on a daily basis,” Obi said. “If banking systems function seamlessly, our electoral system can and should do the same.”
The former Anambra state governor said his participation in the protest was aimed at demanding electoral reforms that truly reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
He also stressed that aspirants for public office should meet constitutional requirements, provide verifiable educational records, engage in open campaigns, and submit themselves to public scrutiny and debates.
Obi’s call comes amid a wider debate over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which the Senate recently passed with changes that critics say could undermine transparency by removing language on real-time election result transmission.
Supporters of the amendment argue it gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) flexibility in choosing result-transmission methods.
As the 2027 elections approach, Obi and other pro-democracy advocates are pushing for reforms they say will strengthen credibility and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
