The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has alleged that Nigeria’s Electoral Act was significantly altered from the version originally developed by stakeholders, raising fresh concerns about the integrity of electoral reforms in the country.
Kingibe made the claim during a television interview on Monday, stating that several provisions in the current law differ markedly from what was agreed upon during the drafting process.
The lawmaker, who served on the Electoral Reforms Committee, said the committee spent about two years developing a comprehensive document aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system. According to her, the process involved extensive collaboration among key stakeholders, including members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and civil society organisations.
“We spent two years developing a document that was widely accepted,” she said. “It wasn’t just the Senate; members of the House of Representatives, INEC, and civil society organisations all participated.”
However, Kingibe expressed surprise at the final version of the Act, alleging that the document presented and eventually enacted into law differed substantially from what the committee had worked on.
“What was eventually presented was not part of the original document,” she stated, adding that she could provide the earlier version developed by the committee if required.
The senator specifically raised concerns about provisions relating to ballot paper security, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has historically maintained strict security features in its voting materials.
“In all the elections we’ve conducted, INEC ballot papers have always had security features. There has never been a situation where just any kind of ballot paper could be used for voting,” she said.
She added that when certain provisions were brought to her attention, she did not recognise them as part of the original draft, suggesting that they may have been introduced at a later stage without the knowledge or consent of the committee.
“So when it was mentioned to me, I said I didn’t see that section—it couldn’t have been there,” Kingibe said.
The allegations have raised questions about the legislative process and the extent to which stakeholder inputs were preserved in the final version of the Electoral Act.
Political analysts note that electoral reforms are critical to ensuring credible elections in Nigeria, and any perceived discrepancies in the law could affect public confidence in the electoral system.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which plays a central role in implementing the Electoral Act, has not yet responded publicly to the senator’s claims.
Similarly, there has been no official reaction from the leadership of the National Assembly regarding the alleged alterations.
Observers say the issue may prompt renewed calls for a review of the Electoral Act, particularly as the country prepares for future elections. Concerns about transparency, accountability, and adherence to agreed reforms are likely to remain central to discussions on electoral integrity.
Kingibe’s remarks add to ongoing debates about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral framework and the need to ensure that laws governing elections reflect the consensus of stakeholders and uphold democratic principles.
As discussions continue, attention is expected to focus on whether the National Assembly or relevant authorities will investigate the claims and clarify the process through which the final version of the Act was adopted.
