Lagos APC Defends Tinubu’s Assent to Electoral Act 2026 Amid Criticism
The Lagos State chapter of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed widespread criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s recent signing of the Electoral Act 2022 Amendment, characterising the backlash as politically motivated and contrary to national interest.
In a statement on Thursday, Lagos APC spokesperson Mogaji Seye Oladejo said the party observed an “orchestrated outcry” by opposition groups following the President’s approval. The party asserted that governance requires prudence and constitutional responsibility, rather than yielding to popularity contests or social media pressure.
The amended Act has faced opposition scrutiny, particularly over provisions concerning the transmission of election results. Critics argue the law fails to mandate real-time electronic transmission, potentially undermining transparency. However, the Lagos APC rejected this narrative as “misleading,” citing experiences from other democracies where similar systems encountered technological failures, cybersecurity threats, legal challenges, and court-ordered reversals.
“The idea that electoral reform wisdom resides exclusively with the opposition is flawed,” the statement read, noting that Tinubu’s assent followed due constitutional process, extensive legislative debate, and institutional consultations. The party framed the President’s action as an exercise of prudence, insisting reforms must be “thoughtful, sustainable and legally defensible, not reactionary.”
While acknowledging the role of opposition in democracy, the Lagos APC cautioned against what it described as the “weaponisation of public sentiment” and melodramatic distortions of policy. “Democracy thrives on credibility and institutional durability, not noise,” it stated, emphasising that electoral integrity cannot rely on “fragile systems designed more for headlines than long-term stability.”
The party urged that Nigeria’s reforms must strengthen democratic institutions without exposing them to avoidable constitutional, legal, and logistical risks, especially given the country’s existing infrastructural challenges.
Context and Significance
The Electoral Act amendment is a key component of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections. Past elections have been marred by disputes over result collation and transmission. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has used technology for voter accreditation, full electronic result transmission remains contentious. The debate highlights the tension between upgrading electoral systems and addressing practical limitations, including connectivity gaps across Nigeria’s vast terrain. The signed law now requires political parties and stakeholders to engage with the new framework ahead of the next electoral cycle.
