Omokri Endorses E-Transmission, Calls Real-Time Clause Impractical

Reno Omokri, a political commentator and ambassador-designate, has endorsed the electronic broadcast of election results but cautioned against insisting on real-time transmission, calling it impractical given Nigeria’s current infrastructure.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, Omokri stated that he is in favor of reforms that increase election openness but contended that detractors should have realistic expectations.

“I support the electronic delivery of results if that’s what you want. Omokri asserted, “I don’t believe anyone who will oppose that is patriotic.”

However, he insisted that it was impractical to implement a real-time component in every polling station in the nation, pointing to Nigeria’s vastness and inconsistent network coverage as key challenges.

He stated, “The problem is that these individuals are requesting impractical policies for the electronic transmission of results in real-time.”

Omokri cited the most recent elections in South Africa as an analogous instance.

“What happened in South Africa is exactly what happened in Nigeria in 2023,” he remarked. In Nigeria, election results can be communicated online. But because Nigeria is a big country, there are some areas where you won’t have coverage.

His remarks coincide with the continuing controversy surrounding the recently passed Senate Electoral Act (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026.

After eliminating the term “real-time” from the section on the electronic transmission of results, lawmakers faced criticism. Since, protesters, including opposition leaders and civil society organizations, have held rallies at the National Assembly, charging senators with trying to erode electoral openness.

Critics contend that the term “real-time” is required to avoid manipulation during collation, even though Senate leadership stated that electronic communication is still covered by the statute.