President Bola Ahmed Tinubu don officially sign the Electoral Act 2026 into law after National Assembly pass the bill following months of serious debate.
The signing happen for State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, with top government officials present, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
Tinubu talk say democracy mean strong discussion wey go help national development and nation building to make Nigeria stable.
“We Need To Avoid Interference”
Speaking about the controversy on electronic transmission of election results, Tinubu explain say final results no be computer go announce am, but human beings.
According to am, Nigerians need to check the country broadband and technical capacity before insisting on full real-time transmission.
“As long as voter appear physically for polling unit, collect ballot paper, thumbprint choice and ballot count manually without interference, na that one matter pass,” Tinubu talk.
He add say na the arithmetic accuracy go enter Form EC8A, while transmission of the manual result na wetin government dey review carefully.
“We need avoid glitches, interference and unnecessary hacking for this computer age,” the President add, saying Nigeria democracy go continue to grow for prosperity and stability.
Heated Argument For Senate
The bill spark serious tension for Senate earlier this week.
During plenary, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raise point of order on Clause 60, wey concern electronic transmission of results.
Akpabio initially talk say the issue don already settle, but opposition senators object immediately.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin quote Senate rules to back the position say the matter no suppose reopen.
The disagreement lead to shouting match, including brief face-off between Senator Abaribe and Senator Sunday Karimi.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explain say earlier decisions don cancel after motion for rescission.
When division finally happen, 15 opposition senators vote against the proviso allowing manual transmission if network fail, while 55 senators support am.
Closed-Door Drama
As lawmakers begin clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, tension rise again when Clause 60 surface.
The chamber later enter closed-door session as lawmakers consult and argue over the amendment.
Reps Members Protest
For House of Representatives, lawmakers also clash over similar issue.
When Speaker Abbas put motion to voice vote, many lawmakers shout “nay” louder, but the Speaker rule say “aye” get am.
The decision trigger protest before the House move into executive session.
Earlier in December 2025, the House had supported compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results to INEC IReV platform.
With the new Electoral Act 2026 now signed into law, attention don shift to how the provisions go play out ahead of the 2027 general elections.
