Former Anambra State Governor and Presidential Candidate of Nigeria, Peter Gregory Obi, has lauded the recently concluded elections in South Africa as a benchmark for transparent and efficient democratic processes. Obi highlighted several key factors contributing to the success of South Africa’s elections, including a 60% voter turnout, over 90% of polling stations opening on time, and the inclusion of diaspora voting. He also praised the real-time result updates, which were devoid of technical glitches, showcasing the robustness and transparency of the South African electoral system.
Obi emphasized the seamless online dissemination of results, reflecting South Africa’s commitment to democratic principles and technological advancement. He contrasted this with the “show of shame” presented by Nigeria during its 2023 elections, where voter turnout was below 30%, over 60% of polling stations opened late, and no provisions were made for diaspora voting. The Nigerian elections were marred by allegations of fraud, widespread irregularities, and numerous technical glitches, despite an expenditure of approximately one billion dollars (including a direct allocation of ₦313 billion and additional donor agency support).
“The differences between the two countries’ electoral processes are both stark and lamentable,” Obi remarked. He criticized Nigeria’s Election Results Center for lacking transparency and efficiency, highlighting the contrast with South Africa’s state-of-the-art electronic board that showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed.
Obi called this juxtaposition a painful reminder of Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance and underscored the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms. “We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy. The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues for a new Nigeria is possible!”
 and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide Empower Over 1,000 Youths with Data Protection and Digital Literacy Training in Ibadan){kind=link}