Fresh concerns are emerging over Nigeria’s electoral future following warnings that recent changes to the Electoral Act could weaken the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, has described the 2026 amendment as a step backward, cautioning that it risks undoing reforms widely credited with improving transparency in previous elections.
Speaking in Abuja, Igini did not mince words: “The current amendment to the Electoral Act is a tragedy… it is a regression.”
He noted that the 2022 Electoral Act had set a new benchmark for electoral integrity in Nigeria, but warned that recent revisions could dilute those gains and erode public confidence in the system.
“The 2022 Electoral Act represents the most progressive electoral framework we’ve had. Unfortunately, that has now been watered down,” he said.
For Igini, the stakes go beyond legal technicalities. He argued that the credibility of any election is rooted first in the strength—and public perception—of the laws guiding it.
“The first question is always the legal framework. If the perception is wrong, then we are already in trouble,” he cautioned.
He also raised concerns about the increasing tendency for courts to determine electoral outcomes, insisting that the legitimacy of elections must be established at the polling unit level.
“The winner of an election should be determined conclusively at the polling unit—not in the courtroom,” he said.
The debate follows the signing of the amended law by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2026, a move that has since drawn mixed reactions from political actors and civil society groups.
Responding to the growing concerns, INEC Chairman Joseph Amupitan maintained that strict compliance with the law remains key to credible elections.
“Adherence to the Electoral Act is our strongest safeguard against post-election disputes,” he said, adding that the commission is strengthening systems such as biometric accreditation and electronic result transmission.
Amupitan also flagged declining voter turnout as a looming threat to democratic stability, warning that low participation could create vulnerabilities in the political system.
“Low turnout is not just a civic issue—it is a security risk. It creates room for narratives that can delegitimise governance,” he said.
As political activity gradually builds toward 2027, analysts say the controversy surrounding the Electoral Act could prove decisive—not just for the conduct of the polls, but for public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Electoral Act Amendment Triggers Fresh Anxiety Over 2027 Polls
