Special Adviser to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Monday Ubani, has expressed confidence that ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act would be completed in time for the 2027 general elections.
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He affirmed that Nigeria possesses the institutional capacity to conduct credible elections without external interference, emphasising that political will and a strengthened legal framework are what is needed.
Speaking during an interactive session with reporters, Ubani noted that the proposed Electoral Bill is expected to be passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
“The House of Representatives has passed their version. What Nigerians are waiting for now is the Senate. They were supposed to consider it before the break. Once they resume, they will certainly pass it,” Ubani said.
He stressed that early passage of the law is critical so that all electoral stakeholders clearly understand the rules guiding the process well ahead of the polls.
“The election is next year. INEC and everyone involved must know the law and comply with it. When the law does not exist, you can’t know what to comply with,” he said.
Ubani expressed optimism that any differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill would be harmonised quickly, paving the way for presidential assent.
“I’m looking at it that before the first week of February, the law would have been passed and assented to. The President will be eager to assent to it,” he added.
The senior lawyer said Nigerians yearn for transparent and credible elections comparable to those in other African democracies and insisted that foreign influence is unnecessary.
“Other nations in Africa have moved ahead of us, such as Ghana, South Africa, and even Kenya. We are the giant of Africa; we shouldn’t be compared to countries that clamp down on freedoms during elections,” he said.
Ubani emphasised that credible elections are a matter of national choice, not international pressure.
“We don’t need Donald Trump or any external influence to do the right thing. If we truly want good governance, it doesn’t take anybody from outside. Let the people cast their votes and let the votes reflect the will of the people,” he said.
Explaining the need for further amendments, Ubani said the implementation of the 2022 Electoral Act revealed several gaps, particularly in election litigation.
He criticised the current requirement for petitioners to call witnesses from numerous polling units even when documentary evidence clearly establishes election results.
“Imagine a situation where you still have to call witnesses from all polling units, whereas the law says if there is documentary evidence showing the result, that result should be used. Why must I call witnesses again when everything is already in black and white?” he queried.
He lamented that many election petitions fail not on merit but on technical grounds. “Most times you lose an election, not because you didn’t win, but because of technicalities.
“They tell you that you dumped documents on them and because of that they won’t consider your case,” he said.
Ubani advocated reforms allowing documentary evidence to be tendered by a lawyer or a single collation officer without requiring witnesses from every polling unit.
He also identified electronic transmission of results as the most critical reform to safeguard elections.
“Once results are transmitted immediately from the polling unit, there will be no room for manipulation at collation centres,” he said, noting that real-time transmission would also strengthen judicial processes.
The SAN called for sustained voter education, particularly on procedures like changing polling units. “People complain about movement on election day, but they don’t realize that you can change your polling unit online. I have done it myself and it worked,” he said.
He also criticised the lack of awareness of the 2022 Electoral Act, noting that some judges relied on repealed provisions. Ubani promised to engage the media and judiciary correspondents once the amended Act is passed to explain its key provisions.
On judicial reforms, he commended the adoption of virtual hearings but called for improved infrastructure and clearer legal provisions to address technical challenges.
Regarding political ambition, Ubani said his plans are in God’s hands but emphasised the need for active participation in politics to drive meaningful change.
He also advocated for greater inclusion of women in governance, proposing reserved legislative seats as a foundation for broader female leadership.
On fiscal policy, Ubani defended the new tax law as protecting low-income earners while ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share, adding that transparency in governance would encourage public trust and compliance.
He stressed that with credible elections, legal reforms, and accountable leadership, Nigeria can rebuild confidence in its democratic system and reverse economic decline.
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