Tinubu Signs Electoral Act Amendments Amid Protests and Political Division

— Urbanscoopnews Reporting

Abuja, Nigeria — February 18, 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday signed into law amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, less than 24 hours after their passage by the National Assembly, a move that has intensified political tensions and sparked protests in the federal capital ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The revised legislation makes real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results optional rather than mandatory, a shift that has quickly become the center of national debate. The signing, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, followed heated deliberations in the legislature where opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in protest, accusing the ruling party of weakening transparency safeguards embedded in earlier electoral reforms.

In remarks following the signing, President Tinubu defended the amendments as practical and forward-looking, stating that the changes were designed to address technical limitations observed in previous elections, including network disruptions in remote areas and concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities. According to the president, the law preserves the use of electronic transmission but introduces flexibility to prevent disenfranchisement where infrastructure challenges could compromise timely uploads.

The bill’s passage had triggered sharp reactions within the National Assembly, with minority lawmakers describing the amendment as a regression. Supporters, however, argued that mandating real-time electronic transmission nationwide, regardless of local connectivity conditions, risked creating operational bottlenecks and potential legal disputes if technological failures occurred.

Outside the legislative complex, demonstrators gathered to demand stronger electoral safeguards, citing lingering mistrust stemming from controversies surrounding the 2023 general election. Security personnel were deployed around key government institutions in Abuja, and police dispersed groups attempting to march toward the National Assembly premises.

Opposition figure Peter Obi criticized the amendment, warning that electoral reforms should deepen transparency rather than dilute it. In a statement, he argued that restoring public confidence requires firm legal guarantees for real-time result transmission and full technological accountability. Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore similarly described the development as a setback for democratic consolidation, urging citizens and civil society organizations to remain vigilant in defense of electoral integrity.

Government allies have dismissed those criticisms, insisting the amendment does not eliminate electronic transmission but instead provides contingency measures where digital systems face legitimate constraints. They maintain that safeguarding the credibility of elections involves balancing transparency with operational realism, particularly in a country with uneven digital infrastructure.

With the 2027 general elections still more than a year away, the amendment has nonetheless reopened debates about trust in institutions, the role of technology in democratic processes, and the evolving nature of Nigeria’s electoral reforms. As implementation begins, both supporters and critics are expected to closely monitor how the new provisions shape the conduct and perception of future elections.