Opposition figure Peter Obi declared Monday that he and fellow challengers would concede defeat in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race provided electoral authorities implement real-time transmission of polling unit results, amid protests decrying legislative hurdles to the reform.
Addressing demonstrators outside the National Assembly, the former Labour Party candidate lambasted past voting irregularities and urged lawmakers to reinstate the measure in the Electoral Act.
“We have suffered the danger; that’s what we have suffered before. We don’t want any glitch again,” Obi said.
“Simple transmission; it is not a difficult thing. Allow the election go through the normal process; whoever wins, we’ll accept. So, why are you bringing all sorts of confusion?”
The rally, spearheaded by activists including Aisha Yesufu, called for swift approval of an Electoral Amendment Bill mandating electronic live feeds from voting sites to curb manipulation.
Protesters targeted Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s chamber for stalling the proposal, which they argue is essential for transparent polls.
Obi’s comments revive debates over the 2023 election, where he placed third behind President Bola Tinubu and contested the outcome citing transmission failures. With 2027 on the horizon, opposition voices insist the change would restore faith in the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Senate officials offered no immediate response to the demands.
