Electoral Act Amendment Will Be Ready for 2027 Cycle, Assures Akpabio’s Special Adviser, Dr. Monday Ubani

Electoral Act Amendment Will Be Ready for 2027 Cycle, Assures Akpabio’s Special Adviser, Dr. Monday Ubani

ABUJA, NIGERIA — January 19, 2026 — Dr. Monday Ubani (SAN), Special Adviser to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has formally assured Nigerians that the ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act will be finalized and ready for implementation well ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interactive session with reporters today, Dr. Ubani expressed high confidence that the Senate will prioritize the passage of the bill immediately upon its resumption from recess on January 27. 

He noted that with the House of Representatives having already passed its version, the legislative process is nearing its final stages.

Dr. Ubani emphasized that the goal is to have the amended Act passed and assented to by President Bola Tinubu by the first week of February 2026.

 This timeline is critical as it aligns with the statutory requirement for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the Notice of Election one year in advance.

"Once the Senate resumes, they will certainly pass it," Ubani stated. "The President will be eager to assent to it because everyone involved must know the law and comply with it. When the law does not exist, you cannot know what to comply with."

 Transparency

Reflecting on the 2022 Electoral Act, Dr. Ubani identified several gaps that the new amendment seeks to bridge, particularly regarding election litigation and technicalities:

Documentary Evidence: The reform aims to stop the dismissal of cases on technical grounds. Ubani advocated for allowing documentary evidence to be tendered by a single collation officer or lawyer, rather than the burdensome requirement of calling witnesses from every polling unit.

 The SAN identified real-time electronic transmission of results as the most vital reform to eliminate manipulation at collation centers and provide a reliable trail for judicial review.

The amendment seeks to ensure that the judiciary and electoral stakeholders are operating under a synchronized legal framework, avoiding the use of repealed provisions.

Dr. Ubani dismissed the notion that Nigeria requires external pressure to conduct free and fair elections, citing the progress of other African nations like Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya.

"We don’t need external influence to do the right thing," Ubani asserted. "Credible elections are a matter of national choice. Let the people cast their votes and let those votes reflect the will of the people. If we truly want good governance, it doesn’t take anybody from outside."

Beyond electoral mechanics, Dr. Ubani touched upon broader governance issues, including:

 Proposing reserved legislative seats for women to ensure a more inclusive democracy.

 Calling for the expansion of virtual hearings and improved infrastructure to streamline the justice system.

 Encouraging citizens to utilize existing digital tools, such as the online portal to change polling units via INEC.

Dr. Ubani concluded by promising to engage with the media and judiciary correspondents immediately following the bill’s passage to ensure the public fully understands the new provisions designed to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic future.