Electoral Act 2026 Amendment can be pursued through proper legislative process, says House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi amid opposition calls
Akintunde Rotimi, Spokesman of the House of Representatives, has stated that critics of the 2026 Electoral Act recently assented to by the President are free to initiate moves to amend the legislation.
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Opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had rejected the law and urged the National Assembly to revisit it.
Rotimi clarified that any law already assented to by the President can only be reviewed through a fresh amendment bill, which must follow the full legislative procedure.
“The provisions of the extant Act were the product of broad engagement and bipartisan collaboration across the National Assembly, reflecting contributions from both ruling and opposition members,” Rotimi said.
He emphasised that amendments should aim solely to enhance transparency, credibility, and public confidence in elections, rather than serve partisan interests.
Under House Standing Orders, an amendment bill must undergo first and second readings, public hearings, clause-by-clause consideration, and passage by both chambers before being transmitted for presidential assent.
Rotimi warned that late-stage amendments could complicate planning for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), affecting logistics, voter education, procurement, and training ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Legislation is not static. Even within the same Assembly, a law can be refined through a properly introduced amendment bill that follows the full legislative process,” he said.
However, he expressed scepticism that any proposals to amend the Electoral Act would secure the necessary bipartisan support.
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Rotimi’s comments underscore the House of Representatives’ position that the 2026 Electoral Act provides a stable framework for Nigeria’s electoral process while allowing for improvements through established legislative channels.
