Okechukwu Ibeanu, a political science professor and former electoral commissioner, has cautioned that there are still holes in Nigeria’s revised electoral law that could jeopardize the nation’s democratic process.
Ibeanu asked citizens to assume more responsibility for preserving democracy in his keynote speech at a Citizens’ Townhall, a policy conversation on election reforms in Abuja.
He pointed out that over-reliance on legal frameworks without institutional and civic reforms may not produce the intended results, claiming that Nigerians frequently place an undue amount of faith in law as the only way to address election difficulties.
It’s regrettable that it took the nation to agree that electronic transmission was in fact covered by the 2022 act after we debated a proviso. I believe that there are still holes and inconsistencies in the law. What we have done, however, is to go all the way back to 2018, when those discussions took place in this nation.
“We constantly tamper with the election law system as though it has all the solutions to our electoral issues. More significantly, though, we give politicians—the same people the law is intended to regulate—the authority to change the Act,” he stated.
According to the professor, Nigeria’s electoral legislation has undergone numerous revisions and repeals, which he said is detrimental to a stable democracy.
“Amendment and repeal of the law should be its medicine, not its daily bread,” Ibeanu said, cautioning that frequent changes run the risk of transforming reforms into political ploys rather than protections for the rights of voters.
He went on to say that if the law is continuously changed, it may result in measures that are more intended to further political agendas than to safeguard voters’ rights.
Ibeanu also warned against the electoral commission’s overzealous regulatory control of political parties, comparing it to a “military regime spectre” if not properly balanced with democratic ideals.
He emphasized civic duty and called on Nigerians to take a more active role in protecting their votes and holding elected officials responsible. “This is for you, citizens. It has nothing to do with INEC or politicians.
“Our dream of a truly democratic country will remain an illusion unless citizens are able to control those who purport to represent them and safeguard their votes,” he stated.
The political scientist also urged the electoral commission to produce clearer rules and recommendations to eliminate uncertainties and called for a thorough examination of certain sections of the election legislation, such as Sections 50, 60, and 62.
In advance of the 2027 general elections, President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law on February 18, 2026, updating Nigeria’s electoral system.
The new law has several important provisions, such as requiring results to be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, recognizing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), establishing new deadlines for candidate nominations and election notices, updating the procedures for party primaries, and allocating funds for the electoral commission sooner.
Opposition parties and civil society organizations have criticized parts of the bill, claiming that specific discretionary powers granted to electoral officials during technical problems could influence accountability, despite the fact that the revisions are intended to increase openness.
Hon. Dr. Philip “Okanga” Agbese, a transformative leader in Enone. Discover his achievements, community projects, and vision for 2027
