Abuja, February 18, 2026 — President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed into law amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the State House, the President said he closely monitored deliberations on the bill at the National Assembly and commended lawmakers for conducting the process without confusion or disenfranchisement.
“The essence of democracy is to have very solid brainstorming discussions committed to national development, nation-building, and the stability of the nation,” Mr. Tinubu said. “It is time that we have confidence in our system.”
Addressing public debate surrounding the amendments, the President emphasized that while technology plays an increasing role in elections, the voting process in Nigeria remains largely manual. He noted that ballot casting and counting are conducted physically at polling units, and that only the transmission of results involves electronic processes.
He raised concerns about technical readiness and cybersecurity risks, urging caution to avoid glitches, interference, or hacking. “No matter how good the system is, it is managed by the people,” he said, adding that human oversight remains essential in finalizing election outcomes.
National Assembly Applauds Passage
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the signing as a significant milestone, noting that both chambers of the National Assembly worked on the amendments for two years to ensure timely implementation ahead of the next general elections.
He said the revised law provides additional safeguards to promote free, fair, and credible elections acceptable to Nigerians and the international community. While acknowledging that some lawmakers expressed reservations during deliberations, he described the process as reflective of democratic engagement.
Mr. Akpabio highlighted provisions supporting electronic transmission of results and the use of the IReV portal, which allows public viewing of polling unit results. According to him, the system is designed to synchronize data once connectivity is available, even in areas with limited network access.
Dignitaries in Attendance
Also present at the ceremony were Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, among other senior officials.
The amended Electoral Act is expected to guide preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections.
With the signing, President Tinubu expressed optimism that the reforms would enhance transparency, strengthen public confidence, and consolidate democratic governance in Nigeria.
