Human rights advocate Ene Obi has urged Nigerians to mobilise against the newly signed Electoral Amendment Act, arguing it weakens the country’s electoral integrity by omitting mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Obi made the call during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ on Friday. Her statement follows President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law, a move reported by the Media Talk Africa to have occurred less than 24 hours after its passage by the National Assembly. The swift approval has intensified public debate over the legislative process.
Obi expressed concern that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which holds governorships in 30 states, remains opposed to real-time electronic transmission despite its majority. “Civil Society Organisations are overwhelmed. We need citizens to rise up,” she said. She criticised the National Assembly’s justification—that inadequate network coverage justifies excluding electronic transmission—as an insult to Nigerians’ intelligence.
The amendment process has been contentious. The original 2022 Act had introduced provisions to modernise voting and result collation, including the use of technology to enhance transparency. The latest repeal and re-enactment removes the explicit requirement for electronic transmission, reverting to a system where results are physically conveyed, a method vulnerable to manipulation and delays.
Legal experts and civic groups have warned that the reversal undermines efforts to curb electoral fraud and could discourage voter confidence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously implemented technology for uploading results in some elections, though unevenly.
Obi stressed the long-term implications: “The nation’s future is at stake; we’re weakening the system we thought we had strengthened.” Her appeal highlights growing frustration among activists who view the legislative change as a step backward for democratic accountability.
The controversy underscores a broader political tension as Nigeria approaches future general elections. With the legal framework now altered,attention turns to INEC’s operational guidelines and potential public or legal challenges to the amendment. Observers note that sustained civic engagement will be crucial to safeguard electoral credibility amid concerns over political manipulation.
