Pres. Tinubu Signs Amended Electoral Act, Commits To Strengthen Democracy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday signed into law the amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, stating that he had closely followed deliberations on the bill at the National Assembly. He commended the leadership of the Assembly for managing the legislative process effectively, noting that there had been no confusion or disenfranchisement of Nigerians, and expressing optimism that the amendments would strengthen democracy and national stability

The President emphasised that the essence of democracy lies in constructive debates focused on national development and nation-building. He urged Nigerians to have confidence in the electoral system, stressing that no matter how sophisticated a system may be, it is ultimately managed and concluded by the people. According to him, citizens remain central to the credibility and final outcome of elections.

Addressing controversies surrounding the amendment, President Tinubu highlighted the ongoing debate over electronic transmission of results. He pointed out that while technology plays an important role, many aspects of Nigeria’s voting process remain manual, from ballot issuance to vote counting. He raised concerns about broadband capacity, technical readiness, and the risks of glitches or hacking, insisting that Nigeria must ensure its systems are secure and reliable.

In his remarks, Godswill Akpabio described the signing as a historic milestone, noting that both chambers of the National Assembly had worked on the amendments for two years to ensure timely implementation ahead of the next general election. He stated that the revised Act contains provisions to support free, fair, and internationally acceptable elections, adding that it introduces electronic transmission of results and strengthens the IReV portal for transparency.

Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado. The signing marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enhance electoral transparency and strengthen democratic governance.