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. On the issue of electronic voting and result transmission, Obi argued that network excuses could no longer justify delays or 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. Last week, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, through third reading. Critics argue that the deletion of the term “real-time” weakens safeguards against manipulation, even though the Senate insists electronic transmission itself was not rejected.

Source: Punch February 10, 2026 21:09 UTC