A Professor of Political Science and former electoral commissioner, Okechukwu Ibeanu, has cautioned that Nigeria’s amended electoral legal framework still contains gaps that could undermine the country’s democratic process.
Ibeanu made the remarks while delivering a keynote address at a Citizens’ Townhall policy dialogue on electoral reforms in Abuja, where he urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility in safeguarding democracy.
He said citizens often place excessive faith in legislation as the sole solution to electoral challenges, warning that overreliance on legal reforms without strengthening institutions and civic engagement may not produce meaningful change.
“I think there are still gaps and loopholes in the law, and it’s unfortunate that it took us debating about a proviso for the country to come to a consensus that electronic transmission was actually in the 2022 Act. What we have done is to take us far back to 2018, where those debates were held in this country,” he said.
“We consistently tinker with the electoral legal framework as if that holds all the answers to our electoral problems. But more importantly, we hand the process of amending the Act to politicians, the same people the law is meant to regulate,” he added.
Frequent Amendments Raise Concerns
The professor noted that Nigeria’s electoral law has been repealed and re-enacted multiple times, alongside several amendments, a trend he described as unhealthy for a stable democracy.
“Amendment and repeal of the law should be its medicine, not its daily bread,” Ibeanu stated, warning that constant alterations risk turning reforms into tools for political calculation rather than genuine safeguards for voters’ rights.
He cautioned that persistent legal changes could result in provisions designed to serve political interests instead of protecting citizens’ votes.
Ibeanu also warned against excessive regulatory oversight of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying such control, if not carefully balanced, could resemble a “military regime spectre.”
Call for Civic Responsibility
Emphasising the role of citizens, Ibeanu urged Nigerians to be more actively involved in protecting their votes and holding elected officials accountable.
“Citizens, this is about you. It is not about politicians; it is not about INEC. Except citizens are in a position to protect their votes and control those who ostensibly represent them, our dream of a truly democratic country will remain an illusion,” he said.
He also called for a detailed review of specific provisions of the electoral law, including Sections 50, 60, and 62, urging the electoral body to issue clearer regulations and guidelines to eliminate ambiguities.
Electoral Act 2026
Nigeria recently updated its electoral framework after President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law on February 18, 2026, replacing the 2022 legislation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Key provisions of the new law include mandatory electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal, formal recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), revised timelines for election notices and candidate nominations, updated procedures for party primaries, and earlier release of funding for the commission.
While the reforms are intended to strengthen transparency and credibility, opposition parties and civil society groups have criticised aspects of the law, arguing that certain discretionary powers granted to electoral officials during technical failures could weaken accountability.
What you should know
Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu has warned that Nigeria’s amended Electoral Act still contains loopholes that may affect democratic integrity.
He cautioned against excessive reliance on legal amendments and urged citizens to play a more active role in defending their votes.
Although the Electoral Act 2026 introduces reforms such as mandatory electronic transmission and BVAS recognition, critics argue that some provisions may leave room for discretion that could undermine transparency.
