Bamidele Explains Tinubu’s Swift Assent To Electoral Act 2026

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has explained why President Bola Tinubu assented to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 barely 24 hours after its controversial passage by the National Assembly.

Naija News reports that Tinubu signed the bill into law a day after it was passed by both chambers of the legislature.

In a statement on Sunday, Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said the amendment was not a unilateral effort by lawmakers but a product of extensive collaboration.

He stated that the provisions were collectively drafted by the National Assembly, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission, civil society organisations and development partners.

Bamidele said, “It is a collective work that involves nearly all critical stakeholders. The National Assembly worked with such different stakeholders as OAGF, CSOs, INEC and our development partners, among others, before we eventually completed the process.

“As we were making progress, the stakeholders too were making their input, and all the inputs were incorporated in the Act. In view of the time constraint we are facing now, I do not believe the Executive requires days or weeks to review it before assent since we all contributed to it. Its outcome is not a unilateral effort of the parliament, but of Nigerians at large.”

According to him, there was no basis for delaying assent since the executive arm had participated in shaping the bill.

Bamidele’s explanation contrasts with the position of several civil society groups that had criticised aspects of the amendment, particularly Clause 60, which makes the electronic transmission of election results optional.

Election observer organisations, including Yiaga Africa, the Centre for Media and Society, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, ElectHER, Nigerian Women Trust Fund and TAF Africa, had called for electronic transmission to be made mandatory.

They argued that leaving it optional could create loopholes capable of undermining electoral integrity and weakening safeguards introduced in the 2022 Electoral Act.

Even after the bill’s passage, some Nigerians and advocacy groups urged the President to withhold assent unless the clause was amended. However, Tinubu signed the bill into law within hours of its transmission.

Provisions To Strengthen INEC

Bamidele maintained that the amended Act would enhance electoral independence, transparency and accountability.

He cited Clause 3, which establishes a special fund for INEC, as a measure to guarantee the commission’s financial autonomy and operational stability.

According to him, the provision requires that funds, whether grants or other accruals, be paid into INEC’s account by the Federal Government and released not later than six months before the next general election.

On Clause 47, which mandates the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System for voter accreditation, Bamidele said the provision would help confirm voter authenticity and reduce irregularities.

Addressing the controversial Clause 60, he noted that the Act prescribes a ₦500,000 fine or six-month imprisonment for any presiding officer who wilfully frustrates the electronic transmission of results.

He said this penalty would promote transparency and accountability.

Bamidele said, “The Electoral Act 2026 represents a consolidation and refinement of the country’s electoral governance framework. In all, the Act seeks to enhance electoral credibility, reduce disputes, and strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.

“The Act emphasises financial and operational independence of INEC; technological integration with procedural safeguards; transparency in collation and declaration; stricter penalties for electoral offences and stronger regulation of political parties.”