Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed satisfaction with the newly signed Electoral Act, calling it historic and reflective of the genuine aspirations of Nigerians rather than the opinions of a vocal few.
Speaking at the State House after President Bola Tinubu signed the bill, Akpabio said lawmakers approached the legislation with patriotism and thoroughness, considering Nigeria’s unique political environment while resisting undue external influence.
He emphasised that the National Assembly successfully interpreted the intentions of the majority, noting that “noise is different from lawmaking” and dismissing politically motivated opposition.
The Senate President said the new law would improve transparency, fairness, and the credibility of future elections, ensuring that every vote truly counts.
Akpabio highlighted the formal recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System result viewer (IReV) as a verifiable record of polling unit results, marking the first time electronic transmission of results is legally recognized in Nigeria.
He explained that results transmitted electronically, even from areas with poor network coverage, would update on the IReV portal once connectivity is restored, allowing citizens to monitor any potential tampering.
Akpabio described the new Act as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s democracy, reflecting careful deliberation and a commitment to credible electoral processes.
Other reforms included empowering party members to vote directly for candidates during primaries and requiring fresh elections if a leading candidate is later disqualified by a court.
The bill generated heated debate last week, with lawmakers disagreeing on result-transmission methods ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senate passed the Electoral Act 2026 after a contentious session on Clause 60.
