By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, February 18, said the recent amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, is a direct treachery against the electorate.
The PDP said this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong.
The party accused the National Assembly of undermining the collective will of Nigerians by weakening provisions that ensure the compulsory electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, with key officers of the National Assembly present.
The presidential assent comes shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unveiled the timetable for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the presidential assent to the Act, the PDP said the newly signed law is a grave betrayal of Nigerians’ trust, noting that citizens had clearly and overwhelmingly demanded the electronic transmission of results.
The party said: “The anti-democratic stance of the Senate and the sudden somersault by the House of Representatives on the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022, specifically on the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the polling units, is an act of treachery against the Nigerian electorate.
“This betrayal is most painful because it strikes at the core of democracy and electoral sanctity.
“The shocking aspect of the whole drama is the brazen manner in which the legislators acted; they clearly showed disdain for the Nigerian people who voted them into office by openly challenging the supremacy of the voters. The excuses advanced for inserting this obnoxious proviso are weak, illogical, and insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians.
“When lawmakers begin to dilute transparency mechanisms ahead of elections, only one conclusion is rational: there is a calculated attempt to create room for electoral manipulation.
“By this act, the National Assembly has violated the foundation of legislative representation, which is anchored on mirroring the wishes of the majority of their constituents. This is a painful betrayal, which the people will certainly repay in equal, if not heavier, measures.”
With reference to the part of the newly signed Act which limited party primaries to only Direct and Consensus options, the PDP noted that this amounts to a clear interference in the internal operations of political parties.
It added: “The Supreme Court has consistently affirmed that political parties possess autonomy in managing their internal processes. This provision is therefore ultra vires, and the attempt to constrict political parties is condemnable.
“Additionally, if the ruling party truly believes it enjoys the support it claims, it should welcome every mechanism that guarantees transparency. Their shameless support for this anomaly shows their fear of impending defeat in a free and fair election.
“It is most shameful that a party that demanded electronic voting in 2015 is now unwilling and unprepared to have electronic transmission of results—this is a crying shame.
“Finally, we call on all Nigerians, organised labour, and Civil Society Organisations to use all lawful means to express their displeasure at the anti-democratic actions of our National Assembly, in the hope that they will reconsider their position.
“This hard-won democracy must not be allowed to suffer decline in the hands of retrogressive politicians, masquerading as legislators.”
