A former Independent National Electoral Commission Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent on the recently passed Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, describing it as a “recipe for chaos” that could weaken Nigeria’s democracy.
Igini made the appeal during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday following the Senate’s passage of the bill, which included contentious provisions under Clause 60 regarding electronic transmission of results. He reminded the president of his historical role in defending the people’s will during previous elections, particularly in 2015, when he and others opposed federal interference in the electoral process.
“It is indeed my humble recommendation to Mr President that you are a man of history… what is put before you take it back, don’t sign it,” Igini said.
The Senate passed the bill on Tuesday after tense deliberations. Opposition Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe demanded a division on Clause 60(3), arguing that manual forms should not serve as a fallback if electronic transmission fails. After the vote, 55 senators supported the proviso while 15 opposed it.
Igini also criticised the judiciary’s historical performance, noting that courts have often failed to protect voters and uphold democratic principles. He called on the judiciary to enforce due process and safeguard voters’ rights, stressing that past failures have eroded public confidence.
He further condemned the Senate’s handling of the bill, particularly the reversal of provisions that originally mandated real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results. Igini warned that without mandatory electronic transmission, many National Assembly members risk losing their seats, and Nigeria’s democratic process could be undermined.
According to him, the way forward is for the judiciary to stand firm in defending due process and ensuring that elections reflect the will of the people.
