A pro-All Progressives Congress group, Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria, has called on Nigeria's security agencies to invite the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, for questioning. The group expressed concerns over Obi's plan to establish a parallel election result transmission system, warning it could plunge the 2027 general election and the nation into crisis. This call was made by Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, Deputy National Leader, Southeast of RHGN, at a news briefing in Umuahia.
Obi had advocated for "dual transmission" of election results in an interview on Arise News on September 10, 2026. He suggested that while results would be transmitted to the designated INEC portal, they would also be transmitted to another platform for public viewing. The RHGN group views this proposal as a recipe for disaster, coming less than five months to the 2027 polls. They demand immediate clarification from the NDC leadership and intervention by security and intelligence agencies.
The RHGN group specifically urged the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and other relevant agencies to invite the NDC leadership and Obi for questioning. They seek to establish whether any parallel electoral infrastructure is being developed, identify those behind it, determine its purpose, and obtain a clear undertaking to respect the constitutional and statutory electoral framework.
According to Ngoforo, the proposal is in open conflict with the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. These laws vest exclusive powers for organising and supervising elections in the Independent National Electoral Commission. He cited Section 153(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution, which establishes INEC, and Section 153(2), which outlines its composition and powers.
Ngoforo further cited Sections 60(3), 60(5), and 62(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. These sections prescribe the electronic transmission of results from each polling unit to the IReV portal and mandate INEC to maintain a National Electronic Register of Election Results. He argued that while Nigerians have a right to demand transparent elections, political parties and candidates cannot establish a rival electoral architecture.
The APC chieftain warned that if anybody knowingly undermines the electoral process, they must be held accountable. He emphasised that Nigeria cannot have two competing centres of electoral authority. The group seeks to prevent a situation where the nation is plunged into crisis due to conflicting electoral systems.
The call for intervention highlights the potential risks associated with Obi's proposed parallel election result transmission system. The RHGN group's concerns centre on the constitutional and legal implications of such a system. The security agencies' response to this call remains to be seen.
Key points
- APC group urges security agencies to invite Peter Obi over parallel election result plan.
- Proposed plan conflicts with Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act.
- Group warns of potential crisis if parallel electoral system is allowed.
