By Chidinma Iroegbu
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the Senate of deliberately delaying amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, warning that failure to act could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
In a post on X on Thursday, Atiku described the current law as flawed, pointing to gaps he said made it possible for alleged manipulation of the 2023 polls. He stressed that without urgent changes, similar problems could affect future elections.
“A major setback to the 2023 elections was the loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022, which allowed brazen rigging and made it nearly impossible for petitioners to advance their cases in court,” Atiku said.
He urged the National Assembly to prioritise the amendment process, noting that the integrity of the 2027 elections depends on timely legislative action.
“The recent FIJ report highlights the Senate’s inaction and the urgent need for legislative responsibility,” Atiku added. “The Senate must finalise the amendments to ensure a strong legal framework governs the 2027 polls. Anything less risks rigging the election before a single vote is cast.”
Atiku’s comments come amid growing calls for a review of the 2022 Electoral Act, which critics say contains gaps that could threaten free and fair elections.