2027 Elections at Risk? Lawmaker Sounds Alarm Over Credibility Crisis, Slams Electoral Act Amendment

Victor Ogene, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, has expressed serious concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general elections, calling on the Federal Government to prioritise real-time electronic transmission of results.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Ogene described President Bola Tinubu’s recent assent to the Electoral Act 2026 Amendment Bill as a “fait accompli” forced upon Nigerians.

The law was signed just weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 elections, a move that has generated widespread debate over provisions regarding electronic transmission of results.

Ogene said, “Congratulations to the President and APC for imposing a fait accompli on the Nigerian people. We knew the 2027 elections were approaching, yet this decision was rushed to the last minute to avoid scrutiny from civil society and the media. Now, Nigerians are left to accept this on a solemn day marking the beginning of the religious fast—truly a sad day for democracy.”

The lawmaker criticized the inclusion of a fallback clause allowing physical forms instead of electronic transmission, arguing that it threatens transparency and erodes public trust in the electoral process.

He added, “The purpose of lawmaking is to correct known and unknown defects. After the glitches of the 2023 elections, I expected the 2027 law to ensure real-time transmission. Instead, we are regressing to the era of incident forms. That is unacceptable.”

Ogene also challenged claims that poor network coverage could hinder electronic transmission, citing previous assessments by the Nigerian Communications Commission and INEC showing over 90% coverage. “Why are we still using network issues as an excuse when coverage was more than adequate four years ago?” he asked.

The lawmaker further questioned the authority of conference committees to alter key sections of the bill without full legislative oversight. “Conference committees are not empowered to make changes. Yet clause 84 was modified on the House floor, changing party nomination procedures without proper authority. Nigerians deserve transparency, not last-minute manipulations,” he said.

Despite his reservations, Ogene urged citizens to maintain faith in democracy and remain actively engaged. “Elections depend on confidence and integrity. Already, there is a perception that the 2027 polls are compromised. But the fight for democracy is a marathon, not a sprint. Nigerians must vote to hold leaders accountable and correct wrongs within the law,” he concluded.

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