Pat Utomi Decries Signing of Electoral Act 2026

Professor Pat Utomi lamented the signing of the Electoral Act 2026 by President Bola Tinubu, stating that the freedom he risked his life for in the 1990s is now "dead." He criticized the act for potentially enabling electoral rigging, which he believes undermines the struggle for democracy in Nigeria. The president signed the 120-page bill within 24 hours of receiving it, raising concerns among Nigerians about the implications for the 2027 general elections.

The act allows for a 30-day consultation period for the INEC chairman to decide on the bill's implementation. Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) criticized the backlash against Tinubu's assent, describing the opposition's response as politically motivated and disconnected from national interests.

They expressed disappointment over the outcry regarding the act's provisions, particularly concerning the transmission of election results, arguing that the law does not guarantee real-time electronic transmission.