Dare Babalola
A former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022 undermined the 2023 general elections’ credibility.
According to the former Vice President, the law’s gaps enabled widespread rigging, making it tough for petitioners to win cases in court.
Atiku, in a post on his verified X handle on Thursday said Nigeria must urgently review its electoral laws, starting with amendments to the Electoral Act, to address flaws that marred the 2023 general elections.
He stated that the failure to address the shortcomings of the 2022 Act would jeopardise the credibility of the 2027 general elections and future polls.
However, the former vice president expressed concern that the Senate appears unwilling to expedite the passage of the proposed amendments to the Act, warning that such delays could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Atiku also referenced a recent report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), describing it as an indictment of the Senate and a call for greater legislative responsibility.
“The credibility of the 2027 general elections hinges on the urgency with which the Senate treats this crucial bill,” he said.
He stressed that it is imperative for the National Assembly to finalise the amendments and ensure that an updated Electoral Act governs the conduct of the 2027 elections.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the Senate finalises the amendments and ensures the updated law governs the conduct of the 2027 elections. Anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to rig the election long before the ballots are cast,” he added.
