Peter Obi Breaks Silence After Protest, Insists Demands On Electoral Act Are Non-negotiable

The former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has renewed his push for the National Assembly to urgently prioritize electoral reforms before the 2027 general elections.

Obi, in a statement released on Tuesday through his X account, said the reforms must reflect the will of the Nigerian people and demonstrate electoral integrity.

He said he joined the peaceful protest on Monday to identify with the people in demanding electoral integrity.

He added that aspirants for public office must provide verifiable records of their primary, secondary, and tertiary education, along with fulfilling other constitutional requirements such as age and qualifications.

The former Anambra State Governor also insisted that part of the electoral reforms must mandate the transmission of election results electronically and in real time to protect the people’s mandate and eliminate manipulation.

Taking a swipe at a recent statement credited to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, about the likely challenges electronic transmission of results may face, Obi insisted that claims that certain states lack network coverage are no longer acceptable.

He called on the youths to remain steadfast in their call for electoral reforms, maintaining that a new and better Nigeria is possible.

The full statement, as made available to Naija News, reads: “Yesterday, February 9th, I participated in 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.

“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.

“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.

“Nigeria must 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.”