Special Adviser to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Monday Ubani, has expressed confidence that amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act will be concluded in time for the 2027 general elections.
Ubani said the country has the institutional capacity to conduct credible polls without foreign interference, stressing that what remains is political will and a stronger legal framework. He spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos.
“The House of Representatives has passed its version of the Electoral Bill. What Nigerians are waiting for now is the Senate. Once they resume, they will pass it,” he said, adding that early passage would allow all stakeholders to clearly understand the rules ahead of the polls.
He emphasised that certainty in the law is crucial for election management. “INEC and everyone involved must know the law and comply with it. When the law does not exist, you cannot know what to comply with,” Ubani said.
The senior lawyer expressed optimism that discrepancies between the House and Senate versions would be resolved swiftly, paving the way for presidential assent. “I am confident that before the first week of February, the law would have been passed and assented to,” he added.
Ubani said Nigerians desire transparent elections comparable to those in other African democracies, insisting that external influence is unnecessary. “We do not need anybody from outside to do the right thing. If we want good governance, let the votes reflect the will of the people,” he said.
He explained that gaps observed in the implementation of the 2022 Electoral Act—particularly in election litigation—necessitated further amendments. Ubani criticised requirements that compel petitioners to call witnesses from numerous polling units despite clear documentary evidence.
“Why must I still call witnesses when everything is already in black and white?” he asked, noting that many election cases fail due to technicalities rather than merit. He identified electronic transmission of results as the most critical reform, saying it would eliminate manipulation and strengthen judicial review.
