Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday fired back at protesters and critics of the newly passed Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, urging Nigerians to obtain and study the legislation before attacking the National Assembly.
Speaking shortly after the Senate adopted plenary votes and passed the bill, Akpabio defended the amendments, insisting they would enhance the credibility and transparency of the 2027 general elections.
“After today, elections in 2027, if this is assented to and accompanied by the President, will be very smooth, transparent, and will reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” he said.
In a pointed message to critics, Akpabio recounted a television interview where a professor criticised a tax reform bill without reading it, highlighting how opinions are sometimes formed solely based on social media.
“So, I hope people will take time, apply to the Senate, apply to the Clerk of the National Assembly, and get a copy of what we have done today. Like what we have done, before they run to social media to criticise and criticise and criticise,” he said.
Akpabio stressed that the Senate’s sessions are open to the public and encouraged stakeholders to engage with lawmakers constructively. “But for us, with the step we have taken today, we have moved elections in Nigeria through a more transparent process more than ever before,” he added.
The Electoral Act amendment, which removes mandatory real-time transmission of results, has generated widespread debate among political actors, civil society, and the public, with the National Assembly maintaining that the changes will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.
