Tinubu Backs 2026 Electoral Act as Opposition Rages

Opposition and Civil Society Condemn Electoral Act 2026 Amendment

Opposition parties and civil society organisations have strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment), viewing it as a setback for Nigeria’s democratic progress and a legalisation of electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of rushing the approval of the contentious legislation, driven by fear of losing the upcoming elections. This move, according to the PDP, threatens the country’s democratic process.

President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law around 5pm on Wednesday at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, with senior National Assembly officials in attendance. The bill was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly just 24 hours earlier. During the ceremony, Tinubu expressed concerns about Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure and technical capacity to handle real-time electronic transmission of election results. However, the PDP described the development as “a dark day for democracy.”

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP stated that the hurried grant of presidential assent confirmed a well-choreographed drama by the APC. The party alleged that the ruling party’s fear of inevitable defeat in a free and fair election is palpable. The Nigerian people, according to the PDP, have been dealt a bad hand that threatens democratic governance. The President, they argued, has demonstrated an inability to rise above partisanship in the art of governance.

The bill, which was approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday, has generated significant debate, especially over provisions for real-time electronic transmission of election results—a key demand by opposition parties, civil society groups, and election observers following widespread allegations of result manipulation during the 2023 general elections. The signing occurred days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections, intensifying concerns among opposition stakeholders that the amendment was designed to favor the ruling party.

Criticisms and Concerns

The Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, described the bill as “a step backward rather than a reform.” He criticized provisions related to INEC’s independence and electronic transmission of results, stating that the adopted provisions make the process more vulnerable to manipulation. Similarly, the Country Director of Accountability Lab, Friday Odeh, warned that the amendments could threaten election integrity, calling it a “huge reversal of the progress that has been made.”

However, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa, offered a more measured perspective, acknowledging that while the law was not perfect, it provided a framework for future improvement. Musa urged Nigerians to manage with what they have now and continue advocating for an improved electoral law.

Opposition Kicks

The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives also condemned the rushed assent granted to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 by President Tinubu. The plenary of the House turned into a rowdy session over the bill, with opposition lawmakers demanding electronic transmission of election results without a proviso. Despite an overwhelming rejection of the altered version, which recognized both electronic and manual transmission in the event of technology failure, APC lawmakers voted in the majority, forcing the opposition to stage a walkout.

Reacting to President Tinubu’s assent to the legislation, leader of the LP caucus, Mr Afam Ogene, questioned the speed of the development. In a statement issued on Wednesday, he said it was interesting that the President signed the bill even before the ink on the clean copies of the bill dried up. He emphasized that the genuine concerns of apprehensive Nigerians regarding the new Act had been ignored.

CUPP Slams Tinubu

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also criticized the President and the National Assembly for undermining the will of Nigerians by amending the Electoral Act to allow manual transmission of election results, despite the citizens’ demand for mandatory electronic transmission. CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ameh, described the move as a blatant disregard for the aspirations of citizens who hope to vote out the current leadership in 2027. He noted that the effort for a mandatory electronic transmission of election results had already been approved, but the ruling party attempted to act in disregard of the people.

Tinubu Questions Broadband

At the signing ceremony, President Tinubu raised concerns about Nigeria’s current broadband infrastructure and technical capacity to handle real-time electronic transmission of election results. He emphasized that the credibility of elections depends more on proper human management and oversight than on electronic systems, noting that voters still cast their ballots manually, and results are still counted and sorted manually at polling units.

Senate President Defends the Amendment

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking earlier to journalists, said the amended Act addressed core concerns raised by Nigerians and introduces provisions that will make future elections more transparent. He highlighted that the new law eliminates the perennial problem of result manipulation between polling units and collation centers. Akpabio explained that the amended Act mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, a key demand by civil society organizations, opposition parties, and election observers following widespread allegations of result manipulation during the 2023 general elections.

Additional Provisions

The Senate President also highlighted other provisions in the new law, including the introduction of direct primaries for political parties, which will allow party members to vote directly for candidates of their choice rather than relying on delegate selection. Additionally, the amendment addresses scenarios where election winners are disqualified by courts, mandating fresh elections to ensure that Nigerians truly elect their leaders.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, drew attention to the reduction of the election notice period from 360 days to 300 days, which will technically avoid conducting elections during the month of Ramadan in 2027.

Wike Commends Tinubu

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, commended President Bola Tinubu for promptly signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law, describing the move as a strong commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the minister praised the President’s swift assent to the bill, noting that it demonstrates a resolve to make elections more credible. Wike applauded President Tinubu for the speed with which he signed the bill into law.