A faction of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the Senate to accelerate amendments to the Electoral Act, warning that further delays could undermine public trust in future elections.
The group, aligned with former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, issued the statement through Mohammed Jungudo, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Caretaker Committee. Speaking to Vanguard, Jungudo said the National Assembly’s slow pace on the electoral reforms sends the wrong signal at a time when confidence in the voting process is fragile.
“The Senate and the National Assembly should recognise the importance of this amendment to the Electoral Act and ensure its speedy passage to strengthen our electoral system and processes,” Jungudo stated. He added that postponing the amendments risks deepening existing weaknesses and eroding voter trust ahead of future polls.
“They must not allow the country to enter another election cycle without addressing the flaws exposed by the 2023 elections,” he stressed.
The warning highlights persistent concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral framework following the 2023 general elections, which were marred by technical glitches, logistical failures, and legal disputes. Since then, civil society organisations and some political actors have consistently advocated for legislative reforms to the Electoral Act. Key proposed changes often focus on improving the independence and efficiency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), enhancing result transmission systems, and strengthening sanctions for electoral offences.
Jungudo’s statement implies that the Senate’s inaction could exacerbate these unresolved issues. The call for expedited action adds to the growing pressure on lawmakers to finalise amendments before the next nationwide electoral cycle. The reforms are positioned as critical to preventing a recurrence of the controversies that characterised the last general elections and to bolstering democratic stability in Africa’s most populous nation. The faction’s intervention underscores the high political stakes surrounding the legislative process, with implications for both opposition strategy and public perception of Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
