A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has described the 2026 Electoral Act as a “tragedy” and a significant regression capable of undermining credible elections in Nigeria.
Igini made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja at the second annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies.
“The current amendment to the Electoral Act is a tragedy to our country, a big tragedy.
It is a regression,” he said, noting that the 2022 Electoral Act, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most progressive electoral laws, had been weakened by the provisions of the 2026 amendment.
“The 2022 Electoral Act represents the most progressive piece of electoral legislation in our history.
Regrettably, that has been watered down by the 2026 Electoral Act,” Igini added.
He emphasised the importance of the pre-election phase to credible polls, stressing that the legal framework guiding elections is crucial to public confidence.
“The first thing you must ask if an election will be credible is the legal framework that will govern it.
The sanctity of laws is key to election management. If the perception is wrong, we are in trouble,” he said.
Igini also raised concerns about what he described as the growing influence of the judiciary in determining election outcomes, insisting that winners should be decided at the polling units.
“I am worried about the expanding empire of the courts in determining who becomes the winner of elections in our country.
The winner of the election must be determined finally and conclusively at the polling unit and not in the court of law,” he said.
Despite widespread criticism, President Bola Tinubu signed the amended Electoral Act into law in February 2026.
Opposition parties and other stakeholders have continued to voice concerns, with Igini adding his perspective to the ongoing debate.
Speaking at the same event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joseph Amupitan (SAN), highlighted strict adherence to the Electoral Act as the most effective safeguard against post-election unrest and threats to national stability.
“Strict adherence to the Electoral Act is our strongest shield against post-election unrest.
We need your support to refine threat assessments and deployment models so that security operations are precise, preventive, and effective.
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Security analysis is ongoing before every election, and the Nigerian Police maintain their own robust mechanisms for risk assessment,” he said.
Amupitan stressed that under his leadership, the commission prioritises the supremacy of the Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act in conducting elections.
He noted that technical safeguards have been implemented to prevent manipulation, including the bimodal voter accreditation system and the results management process.
He described security as both the “first mile and last mile” of election logistics, emphasising the importance of proactive intelligence gathering and collaboration among agencies through the Consultative Committee on Election Security.
Amupitan also warned that voter apathy poses a security risk, noting that declining participation can be exploited by non-state actors to delegitimise governance.
“Voter apathy remains a challenge. In the FCT, turnout improved from 9.4% in 2022 to 15%, yet overall participation has declined from 53% in 2011 to 26% in 2023.
Low turnout is not just a civic concern; it is a security risk, as it creates narratives that non-state actors can exploit to delegitimise governance,” he said.
He added that the 2027 general election will test Nigeria’s institutional resilience, assuring that INEC remains committed to delivering free, fair, and credible polls.
He further noted that credible elections not only legitimise elected leaders but also support economic development and enhance Nigeria’s international reputation.
Also addressing the gathering, the President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies, Mike Ejiofor, highlighted the connection between credible elections, national security, and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ejiofor stated that the integrity of the electoral process is both a political and security imperative, warning that flawed elections often lead to instability, discontent, and violence.
He added that the lecture aimed to promote dialogue and generate ideas capable of strengthening democracy and sustaining national peace.