Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Nigerian Senate of deliberately delaying amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, warning that such actions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku said the delay in reforming the electoral law signals that “rigging has begun” ahead of the next general elections. He argued that without urgent changes to the law, the mistakes and controversies that marked the 2023 elections would be repeated.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, described that election as a “major setback” for Nigeria’s democracy. He blamed gaps in the Electoral Act 2022 for enabling what he called open electoral manipulation and making it difficult for aggrieved candidates to win election cases in court.
The 2023 general elections were among the most disputed in Nigeria’s recent history. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) insisted that the polls were largely free and fair, opposition parties and several civil society groups raised concerns over logistics, vote transmission, and the conduct of security agencies.
Atiku was one of the candidates who challenged the outcome of the presidential election at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. However, the tribunal upheld the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a decision later affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Following the elections, calls grew louder for reforms to the Electoral Act, especially in areas related to electronic transmission of results, timelines for resolving election disputes, and the burden of proof placed on petitioners.
In his post, Atiku said meaningful reform of the legal framework guiding elections is the only way to restore public confidence in the democratic process.
“It is imperative that if the mistakes of the 2023 election are to be corrected, the legal instrument for the conduct of the 2027 and subsequent future elections needs to be reviewed,” he stated.
He warned that delaying the amendments would weaken democracy and send a wrong signal to Nigerians who already feel frustrated by the electoral system.
Atiku expressed concern that the National Assembly, especially the Senate, appears unwilling to act with the urgency required. He accused the Senate of deliberately frustrating efforts to amend the Electoral Act 2022.
“But as things stand, it has become obvious that the Senate is determined to frustrate the passage of amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act,” he said.
According to him, the lack of progress on the bill suggests that some lawmakers may be benefiting from the existing flaws in the law and are unwilling to close the gaps.
The former Vice President also cited a recent investigative report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). He described the report as an indictment of the Senate and a call for urgent action.
While Atiku did not go into details of the report, he said it raised serious questions about the commitment of lawmakers to electoral reforms and democratic accountability.
“The credibility of the 2027 general elections hinges on the urgency with which the Senate treats this crucial bill,” he warned.
Atiku stressed that the amended Electoral Act must be passed, signed into law, and fully implemented well before the 2027 elections. He warned that any delay could be seen as a deliberate attempt to compromise the electoral process long before voting begins.
“Anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to rig the election long before the ballots are cast,” he added.
His comments have sparked debate among political observers and members of the public, with some agreeing that early reforms are needed, while others argue that the National Assembly still has time to act.
The Electoral Act 2022 was signed into law ahead of the 2023 elections with the aim of improving transparency and credibility. It introduced provisions for electronic transmission of results, stricter timelines, and clearer rules for election conduct.
However, critics say the law still contains loopholes that allow for abuse. Legal experts have pointed out that unclear language in some sections has led to conflicting interpretations by courts, making it harder for petitioners to prove their cases.
As of the time of filing this report, the Senate had not officially responded to Atiku’s claims. Lawmakers have previously said that electoral reforms require careful consideration and broad consultation to avoid unintended consequences.
Some senators have argued that rushing amendments could create new problems, while others insist that early action is necessary to strengthen democracy.
With less than three years to the 2027 general elections, Atiku’s warning has added to growing pressure on the Senate to act swiftly.