A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, on Thursday described the 2026 Electoral Act as a “tragedy” and a major regression capable of undermining credible elections in the country.
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Igini spoke in Abuja at the second annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies.
“The current amendment to the Electoral Act is a tragedy to our country, a big tragedy. It is a regression,” he said.
The former REC stated that the 2022 Electoral Act, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most progressive electoral laws, had been diluted by provisions introduced in the 2026 amendment.
“The 2022 Electoral Act represents the most progressive piece of electoral legislation in our history. Regrettably, that has been watered down by the 2026 Electoral Act,” Igini added.
He noted that the pre-election stage remains critical to credible polls, stressing that the legal framework guiding elections plays a decisive role in shaping public confidence.
He added that the perception of neutrality among election managers and stakeholders accounts for a significant portion of electoral credibility.
“The first thing you must ask if an election will be credible is the legal framework that will govern it. The sanctity of laws is key to election management. If the perception is wrong, we are in trouble,” he said.
Igini also expressed concern over what he described as the growing influence of the judiciary in deciding election outcomes, noting that winners should be determined at polling units.
“I am worried about the expanding empire of the courts in determining who becomes the winner of elections in our country. The winner of the election must be determined finally and conclusively at the polling unit and not in the court of law,” he said.
Despite widespread agitation over the amended Electoral Act, President Bola Tinubu signed it into law in February 2026. Since then, criticism has continued, with stakeholders and opposition parties raising concerns, as Igini added his voice to the growing debate.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joseph Amupitan (SAN), said strict adherence to the Electoral Act remains the most effective safeguard against post-election unrest and threats to national stability.
“Strict adherence to the Electoral Act is our strongest shield against post-election unrest. We need your support to refine threat assessments and deployment models so that security operations are precise, preventive, and effective. Security analysis is ongoing before every election, and the Nigerian Police maintain their own robust mechanisms for risk assessment,” he said.
Amupitan said the commission under his leadership prioritises the supremacy of the Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act in conducting elections, adding that technical safeguards have been put in place to prevent manipulation.
He cited the bimodal voter accreditation system and INEC’s results management process as critical tools designed to curb electoral fraud and enhance transparency.
The INEC chairman described security as both the “first mile and last mile” of election logistics, stressing the need for proactive intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration through the Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He also warned that voter apathy poses a security risk, noting that declining participation could be exploited by non-state actors to delegitimise governance.
“Voter apathy remains a challenge. In the FCT, turnout improved from 9.4% in 2022 to 15%, yet overall participation has declined from 53% in 2011 to 26% in 2023. Low turnout is not just a civic concern; it is a security risk, as it creates narratives that non-state actors can exploit to delegitimise governance,” he said.
Amupitan said the 2027 general election would test Nigeria’s institutional resilience, assuring that the commission remains committed to delivering free, fair, and credible polls.
He added that credible elections not only legitimise elected leaders but also promote economic development and enhance Nigeria’s international reputation.
Also speaking, the President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies, Mike Ejiofor, said credible elections are critical to national security and democratic stability as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Ejiofor noted that the integrity of the electoral process is not only a political issue but a fundamental security imperative, warning that flawed elections often breed discontent, instability, and violence.
He added that the lecture was convened to promote dialogue and generate ideas capable of strengthening democracy and national peace.
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