Moses Adeniyi
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, igniting fierce political backlash and deepening tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The assent, granted barely 24 hours after the bill was passed by the National Assembly, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society organisations, who describe the amendment as a regression that could weaken electoral transparency.
Despite the outcries, the Presidency and National Assembly leaders insist the new law strengthens the credibility of elections while accommodating Nigeria’s technological realities.
A Swift Assent, A Stormy Reaction
Tinubu signed the amendment at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the presence of senior lawmakers. His decision came just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 elections — a timing critics say heightens suspicion.
The President defended the amendment, raising concerns about Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure and technical capacity to support real-time electronic transmission nationwide.
“Maybe Nigeria should question our broadband capability. How technically are we today?” Tinubu asked, arguing that election credibility ultimately depends on human oversight rather than technology alone.
The Core Controversy: Electronic vs Manual Transmission
At the heart of the debate is a contentious provision on result transmission.
The amendment recognises electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (iREV), but also allows manual collation where technology fails — a hybrid model that supporters say is pragmatic, but critics argue opens the door to manipulation.
Opposition parties and civil society groups had demanded mandatory real-time electronic transmission from polling units directly to central servers — a reform widely seen as a response to controversies surrounding the 2023 elections.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the development as “a dark day for democracy,” alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rushed the bill out of fear of losing in 2027.
Similarly, the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives staged a walkout during deliberations, accusing the majority APC lawmakers of forcing through a compromised version of the bill.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also condemned the amendment, claiming it “legalises rigging in a formal way.”
Civil Society: Reform or Regression?
Prominent civic voices offered mixed reactions.
Samson Itodo of YIAGA Africa described the amendment as “a reform in name and regression in substance,” arguing that it failed to address structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s electoral framework.
Friday Odeh of Accountability Lab warned of “a huge danger of rigging,” while Auwal Musa of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre took a more measured stance, urging continued advocacy to strengthen the law rather than outright rejection.
National Assembly’s Defence
Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the amendment, insisting that electronic transmission is now formally recognised in Nigerian law for the first time since independence.
According to him, results uploaded to iREV can be compared with physical EC8A forms signed at polling units, making post-poll tampering “impossible.”
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen also highlighted other changes, including:
- Reduction of election notice period from 360 to 300 days
- Introduction of direct party primaries
- Fresh elections where a winner is disqualified by the court
- Adjustments aimed at avoiding election dates during Ramadan in 2027
Supporters argue these changes broaden participation and improve electoral certainty.
Political Undercurrents
The amendment has intensified the political chess game ahead of 2027.
The PDP and Labour Party argue that the hybrid transmission clause creates room for selective application — electronic where convenient, manual where advantageous.
However, allies of the President, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, praised Tinubu’s swift assent, calling it proof of commitment to democratic evolution and dismissing opposition
Lessons from 2023
The controversy is rooted in the fallout from the 2023 general elections, when technical glitches on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal fueled allegations of result manipulation and legal challenges.
While the 2022 Electoral Act had raised expectations for full digital transparency, implementation gaps undermined public confidence.
The 2026 amendment was widely seen as an opportunity for deeper reform, which critics now argue was missed.
What This Means for 2027
With presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for February 20, 2027, and governorship polls on March 6, political actors are recalibrating.
The battle lines are clear:
- Government insist the amendment is a pragmatic reform balancing technology with infrastructure realities.
- Opposition cries foul, describing the move as a strategic rollback that weakens mandatory electronic safeguards.
- Civil society’s concern reflects institutional vulnerability if safeguards are inconsistently applied.
The 2027 elections may ultimately serve as the real referendum on the new law.