President Bola Tinubu has formally signed the Electoral Act 2026 Amendment into law.

The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance.

President Tinubu commended lawmakers, saying he had closely followed the amendment process and praised them for a “job well done.”

The National Assembly leadership described the amendments as a significant step toward ensuring that every vote counts and enhancing the transparency of future elections.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that lawmakers conducted a thorough review of the law before its approval. He highlighted that the amendments now allow for the electronic transmission of polling unit results to the results viewing portal—a longstanding demand by Nigerians.

Akpabio added that while manually signed polling unit results are retained, the new system will enable citizens to compare results at various stages, reducing the risk of post-election tampering.

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas noted that reducing the election notice period from 360 to 300 days is aimed at curbing voter apathy and improving participation.

Implications for Nigeria’s Elections

Analysts say the amendment is a major step toward modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system and aligning it with international best practices.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to implement the new measures ahead of the 2027 general elections, with updated guidelines to support electronic results transmission and improved monitoring.

With these reforms, Nigeria aims to enhance credibility in its elections, reduce post-election disputes, and strengthen citizens’ trust in the democratic process.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, as Renewed Hope Ambassador and Deputy Director-General for party outreach, engagement, and mobilisation.

The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was made by the President in his capacity as leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the announcement, Sani was selected in recognition of his leadership and organisational abilities.

In his new role, the governor is expected to work closely with the Director-General of Renewed Hope Ambassador and the party hierarchy, particularly the APC National Chairman, to ensure harmony, inclusiveness, and strategic coordination across all levels of mobilisation and engagement structures.

President Tinubu said the appointee would be responsible for galvanising support for the party, promoting and disseminating its programmes, policies, milestones, and achievements nationwide.

The aim, he noted, is to strengthen public confidence and reinforce the Renewed Hope message across the country.

In a letter conveying the appointment, the President stated: “The overall objective of your appointment is to ensure that the entire citizenry is aware of, understands, and ultimately supports our party and its candidates at all levels for broad national acceptance in the 2027 election.

Preparation is critical and essential to achieving this outcome, and your leadership will be central to guiding this process effectively and strategically.”

The Nigerian Senate has amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, cutting the statutory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days to give the Independent National Electoral Commission greater flexibility in scheduling the 2027 general elections.

The revised clause mandates INEC to publish election notices not later than 300 days before polling, specifying dates and locations for submission of nomination papers across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The amendment followed a motion for rescission and recommittal moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who warned that retaining the earlier 360-day requirement could push the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections into the Ramadan period, potentially affecting voter turnout, logistics, and stakeholder participation.

Bamidele also cited inconsistencies in the bill’s long title and multiple clauses, including issues with cross-referencing and numbering, prompting the Senate to revisit the draft legislation.

Proceedings became tense when Enyinnaya Abaribe demanded a division on Clause 60(3), which permits manual transmission of election results where electronic transmission fails.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio initially ruled that the request had been withdrawn, but opposition lawmakers objected.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited Senate rules to oppose reopening debate, triggering further protests before lawmakers briefly entered a closed-door session.

When voting resumed, 55 senators supported retaining the manual transmission provision, while 15 opposed it. The chamber subsequently passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026.

INEC had earlier scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls for March 6, 2027.

The dates drew criticism from stakeholders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who urged reconsideration because of their overlap with Ramadan.

Responding, INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna said the commission had noted the concerns and was consulting stakeholders, adding that it could seek legislative action if adjustments become necessary while remaining within constitutional and legal limits.