An Ambassador-designate, Reno Omokri, has expressed support for the electronic transmission of election results amid ongoing debate over proposed amendments to the Electoral Act.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Omokri stated, however, that implementing real-time electronic transmission of results across the country is not practical.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain referenced South Africa’s last election, noting similarities with Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
“If you want to have the electronic transmission of result, I support that. I don’t think anybody who is going to be against that is patriotic,” he stated.
“People agree to the electronic transmission of result. The issue is these people asking for unrealistic policies of real-time electronic transmission of result.
“What happened in South Africa is exactly what happened in 2023 in Nigeria. Election results can be transmitted electronically in Nigeria. However, there are some places where you don’t have coverage because Nigeria is a large country,” he stated.
His comments come after protests followed the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026 at third reading, during which lawmakers removed the phrase “real-time” transmission of election results.
Although the Senate has clarified that it did not reject electronic transmission, demonstrators insist that the proposed legislation must clearly state “real-time electronic transmission” of results.
Offer From Tinubu Govt
Addressing speculation about accepting a role in the current administration, Omokri clarified that he never ruled out serving under President Bola Tinubu.
“That’s not what I said. The question you asked me was that if Tinubu asked me to work with him, would I accept? I said no, it’s not in my DNA.
“When I met with the administration’s officials, I said I can’t take certain positions because of certain things that I said earlier. However, I never said I cannot work for Nigeria.
“As an ambassador, I’m going to work for Nigeria. I will be an ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Omokri is among the nominees recently forwarded by President Tinubu to the Senate for ambassadorial consideration.