By Danjuma Amodu | February 19, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, a move hailed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio as a historic and painstaking piece of legislation reflecting Nigerians’ genuine aspirations.
The signing took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, with Principal Officers of the National Assembly in attendance. The Presidential signature came barely 24 hours after the bill was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
During the ceremony, Tinubu raised concerns about Nigeria’s current broadband infrastructure and technical capacity to handle real-time electronic transmission of election results, even as he signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law.
The new law formally recognises the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System result viewer (IReV) as a legitimate record of polling unit results, enhancing transparency. However, the issue of real-time transmission of results remains contentious, with the law not explicitly mandating it.
Akpabio reiterated that the law would usher in greater transparency, prosperity, and fairness in future elections. Key reforms include direct voting by party members during primaries and fresh elections if a leading candidate is disqualified.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled for February 20 (Presidential and National Assembly) and March 6 (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).
The signing has sparked protests and criticism from opposition figures, describing it as a setback that undermines democratic progress. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP called the development “a dark day for democracy.”
He stated, “The hurried grant of presidential assent to the contentious bill, as passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, despite widespread opposition from Nigerians, confirms that this was a well-choreographed drama by the APC.
“The party’s fear of inevitable defeat in a free and fair election is palpable, and they can no longer conceal it. This is indeed a sad day for democracy.
“The Nigerian people have been dealt a bad hand, one that existentially threatens democratic governance. The President has demonstrated an inability to rise above partisanship in the art of governance.”
However, President Tinubu defends the law, citing Nigeria’s technical capacity and broadband infrastructure limitations. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the timetable for the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a crucial test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process, but its implementation will be closely watched.
