0
0
Senate President Akpabio recently addressed critics of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, emphasizing that Nigerians should wait for the harmonization of the Senate and House decisions before judging the process.
Akpabio’s response comes amid concerns that some parties are pre-judging the amendment process or attempting to influence the legislature’s direction on the 2027 elections.
“The chameleon changes colour to match the earth. The earth does not change colour to match the chameleon,” he quoted, highlighting the importance of measured judgment.
Key Steps in the Amendment Process
Akpabio stressed that there are substantive steps remaining in the amendment process that aim to improve electoral credibility. A major focus is Clause 60(3), which would require presiding officers to transmit election results directly to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real time.
Critics argue that real-time transmission is risky due to gaps in power and communication infrastructure, and that INEC cannot compel the federal government to provide the necessary funding. However, Akpabio maintains that the legislature must uphold its responsibility to ensure credible elections.
Addressing Challenges to Credible Elections
The Senate President warned that abdication of legislative responsibility could compromise election credibility. He noted that previous elections, including those in 2023, exposed weaknesses in the system that real-time result transmission could address.
Akpabio urged INEC and other stakeholders to assess infrastructure needs and ensure that any technical or financial challenges do not undermine the 2027 elections.
Stakes for the 2027 Elections
The credibility of the 2027 elections will test Nigeria’s democratic resilience. Observers note that if power supply and communication infrastructure are inadequate, the elections may fail to reflect the true will of Nigerians.
Akpabio emphasized that the reform of the electoral process must be free from partisan influence. He called on all stakeholders to prioritize transparent, credible, and efficient elections over political convenience.
