Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022, describing them as a major setback to the conduct and outcome of the 2023 general elections.
According to Atiku, the gaps in the law facilitated widespread rigging and made it nearly impossible for petitioners to successfully pursue election cases in court.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the former vice president said, “A major setback to the 2023 elections is the loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022 that paved the way for the brazen rigging of that election, and the near-impossibility of petitioners to advance their cases in the courts.”
He stressed the need for urgent legal reforms ahead of the next general elections. “It is imperative that if the mistakes of the 2023 election are to be corrected, the legal instrument for the conduct of the 2027 and subsequent elections needs to be reviewed,” Atiku said.
He warned that the credibility of the 2027 general elections depends largely on how quickly the Senate acts on the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. “The credibility of the 2027 general elections hinges on the urgency with which the Senate treats this crucial bill,” he added.
Atiku also expressed concern over what he described as the Senate’s reluctance to finalise amendments to the Electoral Act, arguing that the delay was eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the Senate finalises the amendments and ensures the updated law governs the conduct of the 2027 elections,” he said, adding that, “Anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to rig the election long before the ballots are cast.”
The former vice president cited a recent report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, describing it as “both an indictment of the Senate and a timely call for legislative responsibility.”
In a related development, the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room has also raised concerns over the failure of the National Assembly to conclude the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill in 2025.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Yunusa Ya’u, the group warned that the delay—now extended into 2026 due to the National Assembly’s recess—poses a serious risk to Nigeria’s electoral reform process and preparations for the 2027 elections.
The House of Representatives had passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill at third reading on December 23, 2025. The bill seeks to address gaps observed in recent elections, including provisions on electronic transmission of results, early voting, and tougher penalties for electoral offences.
However, Ya’u noted that despite passing the bill at second reading on October 22, 2025, the Senate had yet to complete action on it. The bill was reportedly stepped down over procedural issues and was not returned for final consideration before lawmakers adjourned for the end-of-year recess.
He recalled that joint committees of both chambers had publicly committed in October 2025 to ensure the bill’s passage before the end of the year.
“Electoral reform is not routine legislation. It is a time-sensitive national obligation,” Ya’u said. “The Senate’s failure to conclude action on a Bill already passed by the House reflects poor prioritisation, weak inter-chamber coordination, and a troubling disregard for Nigeria’s electoral timelines.”
Ya’u warned that the delay could disrupt preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is legally required to issue the notice of election in February 2026.
“For INEC to plan, implement, and sensitise stakeholders under a revised legal framework, the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill must be passed and assented to well before then,” he said, warning that “any further delay places the entire 2027 election cycle at risk.”
He also noted that similar delays plagued the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which failed to receive presidential assent in time after being transmitted late.
According to him, continued delay could result in uncertainty in the electoral legal framework, delayed voter education, operational challenges for INEC, and a higher risk of post-election disputes.
The Situation Room further criticised the prolonged legislative recess, comparing it unfavourably with practices in other democracies where parliaments resume early despite pressing national priorities.
The group called on the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, to immediately prioritise and pass the bill upon resumption on January 27, 2026, ensure its prompt transmission to the President for assent, and strengthen coordination between both legislative chambers to avoid further bottlenecks.
