Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Senate of deliberately stalling efforts to amend the Electoral Act 2022, warning that failure to reform the law could seriously undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the allegation in a post on his verified X handle, where he described the 2023 general elections as a “major setback” to Nigeria’s democratic process.
He blamed gaps in the Electoral Act 2022 for enabling what he described as widespread electoral malpractice and making it difficult for aggrieved parties to successfully prosecute election petitions in court.
According to him, comprehensive reform of the legal framework guiding elections is the only way to prevent a repeat of the shortcomings witnessed during the 2023 polls.
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“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 future elections needs to be reviewed,” Atiku stated.
Atiku Urges Senate To Fast-track the Proposed Amendments
The former presidential candidate, however, expressed concern that the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, appeared unwilling to fast-track the proposed amendments.
“But as things stand, it has become obvious that the Senate is determined to frustrate the passage of amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act,” he said.
Atiku also cited a recent investigative report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), describing it as an indictment of the Senate and a reminder of the urgency of its legislative responsibility.
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He warned that the credibility of the 2027 general elections depends largely on how quickly the Senate acts on the bill.
“The credibility of the 2027 general elections hinges on the urgency with which the Senate treats this crucial bill,” he said.
The former vice president stressed that amendment of the Electoral Act must be concluded and operational well ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that any delay would amount to a deliberate attempt to compromise the electoral process.
“Anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to rig the election long before the ballots are cast,” he added.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
