Nigerian Opposition Figure Alleges New Electoral Law Embodies “Snatching” of Power
A senior figure in Nigeria’s opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of institutionalising the seizure of political power through recent amendments to the nation’s electoral law. Adewole Adebayo, an SDP chieftain, contended that the president’s political philosophy rejects campaigning for votes in favour of “snatching” authority, a stance he claims is now reflected in the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill.
Adebayo made the remarks during a televised interview on Trust TV, directly responding to the legislative changes signed into law by President Tinubu on Friday. The bill, passed by the National Assembly, maintains the electronic transmission of election results but retains a manual collation process as a backup—a provision that has drawn criticism from election observers and opposition groups who argue it reintroduces potential for manipulation.
“Tinubu believes that in their own school of politics you don’t go to the people to ask for power. You are wasting your time,” Adebayo stated. He characterised the legislative amendment as a form of “legislative snatching of power,” asserting that the president’s approach favours seizing and holding authority over seeking a popular mandate.
The swift assent by President Tinubu—occurring barely 24 hours after the National Assembly passed the bill—has intensified scrutiny. Critics view the accelerated process as symptomatic of an executive intent on shaping electoral rules with minimal public consultation. Adebayo’s comments frame the legal change within a broader narrative about the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s political tactics, recalling the contentious 2023 general election which the opposition challenged in court.
While Adebayo vowed that the opposition would still “defeat Tinubu handsomely,” he acknowledged the new law creates “another shadow of doubt in the minds of the voters.” He indicated that opposition parties must now concentrate on rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process, a task complicated by the amended legislation.
The controversy underscores a persistent tension in Nigeria’s democratic development. Proponents of the dual-result system argue it ensures reliability and accommodates technical failures, particularly in regions with poor connectivity. However, opposition figures and civil society organisations warn that preserving manual collation—a process historically vulnerable to interference—undermines efforts to enhance transparency and speed.
The signed amendment is now the governing framework for future elections, including crucial off-cycle governorship polls. For the SDP and other opposition groups, the immediate challenge is twofold: to legally contest provisions they deem detrimental to free and fair polls, and to mount a vigorous voter-education campaign to counteract any erosion of trust. Adebayo’s rhetoric signals that the political battle over Nigeria’s electoral rules—and the very philosophy of how power is attained—will remain a central fault line in the country’s political discourse.
