President Bola Tinubu has given presidential assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, formally signing it into law on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja.
The signing, which took place around 5:00pm at the President’s office, was witnessed by key leaders of the National Assembly. The development follows the passage of the amended bill by both chambers of the legislature on Tuesday after weeks of consultations and robust national conversations on electoral reforms.
The amendment, which includes changes to Section 60(3), has been at the centre of public discourse due to its provisions on the electronic transmission of election results. The harmonised version approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives was subsequently transmitted to the President for assent.
President Bola Tinubu flanked by principal officers of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 at the President’s first-floor office, State House, Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, confirmed the signing while briefing journalists after the ceremony, describing it as a major step forward for Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
According to Akpabio, the new law is designed to protect the integrity of votes cast by Nigerians and to close loopholes that have historically allowed manipulation of results during collation.
He stated that the amended Act directly responds to long-standing demands for transparency in the electoral process, noting that future elections will be more credible and secure as a result.
Akpabio further explained that the law, for the first time since Nigeria’s independence, gives legal backing to the electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal. This, he said, reflects lessons learnt from previous elections and feedback from citizens, civil society groups, and election observers.
He added that safeguards were also included for communities with limited network coverage, stressing that signed EC8A forms at polling units remain the foundational record of election results.
Hon. Olatunde Igbasan, DG, APC Youth Wing West Africa and Coordinator, Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) – West Africa
Reacting to the signing, Hon. Olatunde Igbasan, Director-General, APC Youth Wing West Africa and Coordinator, Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) – West Africa, applauded President Tinubu and the National Assembly for what he described as a forward-looking reform.
Hon. Olatunde Igbasan, DG, APC Youth Wing West Africa and Coordinator, Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) – West Africa
“This amendment sends a strong message that the votes of Nigerians truly matter. It strengthens trust in our democracy and reassures young people that the system is being improved to reflect fairness, transparency, and modern global standards,” Igbasan said.
He noted that electoral credibility remains a critical pillar of national stability and urged stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the new law.
Hon. Igbasan also extended heartfelt goodwill messages to Nigerians observing the current fasting period.
He congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of Ramadan and conveyed best wishes to Christians who have equally begun their fasting season, urging all Nigerians to embrace the period as a time for prayer, self-discipline, and national unity.
“May this season renew our collective commitment to peace, love, and the progress of our nation,” he added.
