A coalition of civil society groups in Nigeria has denounced the Presidential Assent of the 2026 Electoral Amendment Bill, labelling President Tinubu’s action on Wednesday as “the darkest day in the history of democracy in Nigeria.”
They argue that the new law lacks the basic ingredients that will significantly transform Nigeria’s electoral process.
The resolution formed part of the discourse at the Abuja dialogue this Thursday.
The coalition’s resolution is coming barely 24hours after President Tinubu appended his signature on the controversial Bill that has psychologically drained and polarised the National Assembly and the civil populace.
For this group of Nigerians, the legislation is laced with disappointment and deep “crisis of confidence”.
Specifically, the coalition highlighted a contentious clause that reduces the window the election umpire, INEC, has to access funds for elections, a move they argue directly impedes the Commission’s operational autonomy and efficiency.
In response to these concerns and to ensure transparency and accountability, the Civil Society groups are now calling on INEC to conduct a nationwide simulation of the electoral technology, IReV.
This, they note, is explicitly contained within the provisions of the new law and crucial to determining its potency.
The groups’ strong stance underscores the ongoing debate over electoral reforms in Nigeria and the public’s demand for a credible and transparent democratic process.
Editor: Ken Eseni
