ActionAid Nigeria has expressed alarm over the rapid signing of the newly passed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that the speed of assent could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democratic future.
In a statement signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, the organisation noted that the bill was signed less than 24 hours after its passage by the National Assembly, leaving little room for statutory bodies to conduct a comprehensive review. It stressed that critical institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Ministry of Finance were not adequately consulted on the legal, operational, and financial implications of the law.
ActionAid argued that legislation of such magnitude requires patience, transparency, and broad consultation, contrasting the speed of the electoral amendment with the longer timelines of other major reforms such as the Tax Reform Package and the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act.
The organisation warned that bypassing legal and technical review processes could heighten public suspicion and erode trust in democratic governance. It also decried the disregard for citizen input, noting that civil society organisations and electoral reform advocates had raised substantive concerns and proposed safeguards based on past electoral experiences.
Central to its demands is the inclusion of unconditional real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units, which it described as a non-negotiable safeguard for electoral transparency and credibility.
ActionAid cautioned that if the Act proceeds in its current form, public confidence in electoral processes could decline, political tensions could deepen, and trust in democratic institutions could weaken. It therefore called on President Tinubu and the National Assembly to initiate an immediate amendment process to ensure the law reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.
“This is not a partisan matter. It is a matter of democratic survival and public trust,” the statement said, affirming ActionAid’s commitment to stand with citizens advocating electoral transparency and urging Nigerians to remain engaged, vigilant, and peaceful in defending democratic principles.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
