The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives adopted a practical approach in passing the Electoral Amendment Act, 2022, according to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the statement on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’.
His comments follow the National Assembly’s passage of the bill and President Bola Tinubu’s signing of it into law within 24 hours—a timeline that has sparked public debate.
Morka defended the legislative process, noting that the bill’s passage reflected a collective effort. “Let’s keep in mind that the All Progressives Congress is not the only party in our National Assembly. We have other parties there,” he said. “So whatever the outcome of deliberations and bills that are passed through the National Assembly must be considered as the output of the combined effort and collective will of the entire members of the legislature.”
He argued the lawmakers’ decisions were grounded in Nigeria’s current technological reality. Citing personal experience from a recent broadcast in Asaba, Delta State, Morka highlighted inconsistent connectivity across the country. “I went through literally about three networks to be able to find a stable connectivity to be on this show,” he stated. “I don’t know whether Nigerians assume that whatever is going on in Lagos or in Abuja is the same in the rest of the country in terms of facility.”
While expressing a desire for improved infrastructure to enable real-time electronic transmission of results, Morka emphasized the need for pragmatism. “We must be realistic as a people,” he stated. “It’s okay as a people to aspire to the greatest ideals to the finest condition.”
The signed Electoral Amendment Act introduces key reforms, including provisions for early voting and enhanced transparency in result collation. It is set to govern Nigeria’s next general elections in 2027. The swift assent and ensuing discourse underscore ongoing national conversations about electoral integrity, technological readiness, and the balance between ambitious reform and on-ground execution.
