Former Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reject the newly passed Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Igini made the appeal on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television, following the bill’s passage in the Senate amid tense debates over Clause 60. He warned that the proposed law could “undermine all that has been achieved” in strengthening electoral integrity.
“It is my humble recommendation to Mr President that you are a man of history,” Igini said. “What is before you is a recipe for chaos. Please take it back.”
He recalled Nigeria’s democratic struggles, noting that electoral outcomes should reflect the will of the people rather than state power. “In 2015, we insisted it would be the might of the people, not federal might, that would decide elections. You have the chance to make history,” he added.
Igini has recently intensified advocacy for the compulsory real-time electronic transmission of election results, arguing that this measure would eliminate loopholes that have historically allowed manipulation during manual collation.
The National Assembly is currently working to harmonise differing versions of the Electoral Act bill. The provision mandating the immediate upload of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal has emerged as a key sticking point.
“The credibility of future elections and the trust of the electorate depend on this,” Igini said. “Failing to close these gaps has in the past worked against even sitting lawmakers, particularly those who lost party backing. Real-time electronic transmission would strengthen transparency and restore public confidence.”
He stressed that the decision before the president and lawmakers would have long-term consequences, not only for election credibility but also for political stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Every stakeholder must recognise the stakes,” Igini said. “What is being presented is not just legislation – it is a test of our commitment to democracy.”
This intervention comes at a critical moment as Nigeria prepares for the next general elections, highlighting ongoing debates over electoral reforms and the balance between technological solutions and traditional voting processes.