The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has backed President Bola Tinubu over his assent to the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment), dismissing criticisms from opposition figures as noise driven by sentiment rather than substance.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, described reactions to the amendment as “orchestrated hysteria”, insisting that governance transcends emotion.
Oladejo said the President’s decision followed due constitutional process, legislative debate and institutional consultation, stressing that governance is neither a popularity contest nor a platform for digital propaganda.
“It must be stated without equivocation that governance is a serious constitutional duty carried out in the best interest of the Nigerian people,” the statement read.
The party warned against attempts to weaponise public sentiment, noting that democracy thrives on credibility, not noise.
Party Raises Integrity Concerns
The Lagos APC argued that electoral integrity cannot be built on fragile systems designed for headlines rather than durability, adding that responsible governance requires anticipating risks before they develop into crises.
PUNCH Online reports that President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law on Wednesday, a day after the bill was passed by the National Assembly.
The amendment has sparked protests and agitations, particularly over provisions relating to real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Criticism of Real-time Transmission Advocacy
In its statement, the party criticised opposition figures for promoting what it described as a “romanticised and misleading narrative” around real-time transmission models.
It noted that similar systems in other countries have faced technological failures, legal ambiguities, cybersecurity risks and judicial reversals.
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The party warned that elevating political convenience above systemic integrity could expose Nigeria to avoidable risks.
“The people of Nigeria deserve reforms that strengthen institutions, not experiments that may compromise them,” it said.
Opposition Accused of Opportunism
The Lagos APC questioned claims that opposition parties alone possessed superior wisdom on electoral reforms, insisting that reform is not the exclusive preserve of any political bloc.
It accused critics of opportunism disguised as patriotism, adding that demands for absolute technological guarantees ignored Nigeria’s infrastructure disparities, as well as constitutional and logistical realities.
Call for Restraint
The party maintained that the President’s assent reflected prudence and the need for reforms that are thoughtful, sustainable and legally defensible.
While acknowledging the role of opposition in a democracy, the Lagos APC cautioned against distortion, noting that those who failed to build durable electoral confidence while in office should refrain from lecturing others.
“Governance transcends emotion. It demands maturity over melodrama, substance over spectacle, and nation over narrative,” the statement concluded.
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.
