By Our Reporter
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Senate to urgently review and amend the Electoral Act 2022, warning that loopholes in the law contributed to alleged irregularities during the 2023 General Elections.
The former vice president sounded this warning in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, highlighting that the existing legal framework made it "nearly impossible for petitioners to advance their cases in the courts," creating conditions that allowed for what he described as "brazen rigging" in the general elections.
Atiku, while making call for urgent review, stressed that correcting these flaws was essential to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 polls, urging lawmakers to ensure that any amendments were passed in time to govern future polls.
This was just as he expressed concern that the Senate appeared determined to delay or frustrate the passage of the amendments, citing a recent report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) as an indictment of legislative inaction.
"At a time when the mistakes of the 2023 elections are still fresh, it is imperative that the legal instrument for the conduct of the 2027 and subsequent elections is reviewed.
"The credibility of the 2027 General Elections hinges on the urgency with which the Senate treats this crucial bill. It is imperative that the Senate finalises the amendments and ensures the updated law governs the conduct of the 2027 elections. Anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to rig the election long before the ballots are cast," Atiku said.
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