Yoruba Ronu Electoral Act criticism targets NASS over omission of certificate forgery as grounds for election petitions
The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, led by its President Akin Malaolu, on Thursday criticised Nigeria’s National Assembly over provisions in the amended Electoral Act 2026, particularly the exclusion of certificate forgery as grounds for election petitions, in Abuja, Nigeria.
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The group’s reaction, contained in a statement issued on Thursday, forms part of the growing Yoruba Ronu Electoral Act criticism, with concerns centred on what it described as a troubling gap in the country’s electoral legal framework.
Malaolu expressed concern over Section 138(1) of the amended law, which limits election disputes to claims of invalidity based on corrupt practices, non-compliance with electoral provisions, or the assertion that a candidate was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes.
He noted that the omission of qualification-related issues, including allegations of certificate forgery, marks a significant departure from previous electoral laws that allowed such challenges to be entertained in court.
The forum also drew attention to Section 138(3), which introduces financial penalties for petitions filed outside the recognised grounds, including fines of at least N5 million for legal practitioners and N10 million for petitioners.
According to Malaolu, the provisions could discourage legitimate legal scrutiny and weaken accountability within Nigeria’s electoral system.
He described the development as deeply concerning, warning that any framework perceived to shield forgery risks normalising dishonesty across institutions.
He added that the implications extend beyond politics, potentially affecting public trust in education and governance systems, where integrity remains critical.
The forum further urged the Federal Government to release the full details of the amended Electoral Act, rather than disseminating the content in fragments, to allow for broader public understanding and scrutiny.
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Malaolu stressed that failure to address the identified gaps could undermine democratic institutions and erode confidence in electoral processes, calling for urgent legislative review.
