Electoral Act: Senate’s decision sparks outrage, as experts compare action to major national disaster 

The passage of the electoral act amendment bill by the senate on Thursday has drawn sharp criticism from experts, who say the rejection of real-time transmission of election results risks eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s elections.
Mahdi Shehu, a public affairs analyst has criticized the National Assembly over their decision, describing it as a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Shehu said the refusal by lawmakers to approve key electoral reforms shows a deliberate attempt to undermine the value of citizens’ votes.

“It is one assault too many. The Senators has abandoned the very reasons Nigerians elected them and have continued to take the people for granted.”

Shehu warned that by rejecting reforms such as mandatory electronic transmission of election results, the Senate was sending a dangerous message that votes may no longer count.

“When votes will not count, there is no point voting,” he stated.

Shehu likened the Senate’s action to deadly global disasters.

“The Senate’s action can be likened to HIV, Ebola and a Tsunami combined,” he said.

He added that the damage to democracy could be long-lasting.

He also accused the political system of failing to provide checks and balances, claiming that the executive, legislature and judiciary were no longer holding one another accountable.

“When the executive, judiciary and legislature, who are supposed to check each other, are actively in bed with one another, reforms become a mirage; a dream within a dream,” Shehu said.

He further alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had become compromised, describing it as a convenient selection of the president.

“INEC is expected to do the bidding of the president, which is to be declared winner whether he wins or not,” he claimed.

According to him, the continued weakening of democratic institutions could push Nigerians to begin questioning the future of the country.

“Less than two million people are destroying the lives, livelihoods and commerce of over 250 million Nigerians,” he said.

Electoral act amendment is a deliberate plot for 2027 – NNPP’s Ibrahim Karaye

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State also described the recent amendment to the Electoral Act as a calculated political move by the ruling party to gain advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, the NNPP Kano State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Ibrahim Karaye, said the Senate’s decision was not accidental but a deliberate strategy to manipulate future elections.

“I see it as a deliberate political move by the ruling party. This is because the 2023 election was one of the closest contests in Nigeria’s history, with very little difference between the contestants.”

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as president with minority votes, a development he said had made the ruling party uncomfortable with a free and fair electoral process going forward.

“President Tinubu is the only president in this democratic dispensation that won the presidency with minority votes. So the ruling party is now planning to maneuver the outcome of the 2027 election in its favour.”

Karaye said the rejection of key electoral reforms, including mandatory electronic transmission of results, was aimed at weakening transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

Despite these concerns, the NNPP spokesman said the Senate’s decision would not discourage Nigerians from participating in future elections.

“I don’t think this decision will affect voter confidence or turnout. Our people are very determined to come out en masse and change their destiny, which I strongly believe is in their hands.”

He argued that Nigerians were more politically aware than ever before and understood the stakes ahead of the 2027 polls.

“This is the first time in the history of this country that almost all the resources that should be channelled towards citizens’ welfare are being diverted to fund politics and prepare for the 2027 elections,” Karaye claimed.

He also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively participate in the electoral process to protect their votes.

“Every citizen should be ready to defend their electoral rights,” he said. “People must participate fully in the process and work together to block rigging and voter manipulation.”

He stressed that protecting democracy required collective effort and lawful civic engagement.

He added that citizens must not allow their votes to be taken for granted.