President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law despite strong opposition that has dogged the legislation while at the National Assembly.
Tinubu appended his signature to the bill in a brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa attended by the principal officers of the National Assembly.
This follows the passage of the bill by the National Assembly on Tuesday after months of intense deliberations, public concerns, and political debates across the country. There have been protests by civil society groups and opposition parties at the National Assembly complex in Abuja following the passage of the controversial bill.
In a swift reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed concern over what it described as the swift approval of the bill despite widespread opposition from Nigerians, noting that the action raises questions about neutrality in governance and the credibility of future elections.
Reacting through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said the hurried passage and assent of the bill exposes the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) fear of defeat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The hurried grant of a presidential assent to the contentious bill as passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, despite the widespread opposition by Nigerians, is a confirmation of the fact that this was a well choreographed drama by the APC. The party’s fear of the inevitable defeat from a free and fair election is palpable and they are unable to conceal it again.
“This is indeed a sad day for democracy. The Nigerian people have been dealt a bad card, which existentially threatens democracy.
“The President has shown his inability to rise above partisanship in the art of governance,” the party said, warning that the development could distort the political playing field and threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
