Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini has urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent on the newly passed Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, describing it as “a recipe for chaos” that could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
Igini made the appeal during an interview on Arise Television, warning that contentious provisions under Clause 60, relating to the electronic transmission of results, could destabilise elections.
“It is indeed my humble recommendation to Mr President that you are a man of history.
What is put before you, take it back, don’t sign it,” he said, recalling the 2015 struggle to ensure elections reflected the will of the people rather than federal influence.
The former electoral commissioner criticised the Senate’s handling of the bill, noting the reversal of Clause 60 provisions that originally mandated real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results.
He stressed that without mandatory electronic transmission, the integrity of elections may be compromised, and National Assembly members risk losing public trust.
Igini also voiced concerns about the judiciary, saying it has historically failed to protect voters and uphold democracy.
“The greatest option that we have is the judiciary that must stand tall and mighty in defence of democracy and the rule of law.
Were it not for the judiciary, we would not be where we are today,” he added, citing past failures in enforcing electoral laws.
The Senate had passed the bill after tense deliberations, with 55 senators voting in favour of retaining Clause 60’s electronic transmission provisions and 15 opposing.
Opposition lawmakers, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had called for manual forms not to serve as a fallback in the event of transmission failures.
Igini warned that for Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, both the executive and judiciary must ensure due process is upheld and voters’ rights are protected.
