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Reno Omokri Critiques Peter Obi’s Call for Real-Time Election Result Transmission
Reno Omokri, the ambassador-designate, recently voiced strong criticism against politician Peter Obi and others advocating for the immediate transmission of election results. Omokri’s remarks, shared widely on social media, challenge the feasibility of such demands given existing technological limitations.
Questioning the Practicality of Real-Time Election Reporting
In a viral video, Omokri highlighted the challenges faced by Peter Obi’s own bank in providing real-time financial services to its customers. He pointed out that if Obi’s bank struggles with instant money transfers and app accessibility for millions of users, it is unrealistic to expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver instantaneous election results for over 200 million Nigerians.
“Fellow Nigerians, I urge you to verify this: last year, Peter Obi’s bank experienced thousands of complaints regarding delays in app access, failed real-time money transfers, and slow reversal processes. Customers were unable to use the bank’s app and USSD services promptly. Despite these issues, Peter Obi petitioned the National Assembly demanding real-time election result transmission by INEC.
If a bank that prides itself on having some of Africa’s most advanced internet infrastructure cannot ensure real-time transactions for ten million customers, how can INEC be expected to guarantee immediate election result transmission for 100 million registered voters?”
Contextualizing the Challenges of Real-Time Data Transmission
Omokri’s argument underscores the broader infrastructural and technological hurdles Nigeria faces in implementing real-time election result reporting. Even globally, countries with advanced digital infrastructures encounter delays and verification challenges during elections. For instance, the 2020 U.S. presidential election saw staggered result announcements due to verification processes, despite robust technology.
Implications for Nigeria’s Electoral Process
The debate raises important questions about the readiness of Nigeria’s electoral system to adopt real-time result transmission. While transparency and speed are crucial, ensuring accuracy and preventing misinformation remain paramount. The current technological gaps, as highlighted by Omokri, suggest that a phased approach with improved infrastructure might be more practical than immediate real-time reporting.
Watch Reno Omokri’s Full Statement
Below is the video where Reno Omokri elaborates on his perspective regarding the demands for real-time election result transmission:
