The Senate has ruled out any amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 before the 2027 general elections, insisting that the law will remain the legal framework for the forthcoming polls.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said the National Assembly had concluded the electoral reform process and would not alter the law midway through preparations for the elections.
Adaramodu stated this in an interview with journalists while reacting to calls for a review of some provisions of the Act following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
According to him, the Electoral Act has already been assented to and is being used by political parties in the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.
“Are you now going to shift the goalposts in the middle of the game? Are you going to play a football match in reverse?” he asked.
The Senate position came days after the Supreme Court restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act, which had earlier been declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal.
The seven-member apex court panel unanimously held that the disputed provisions were not inconsistent with the Constitution.
Sections 77(5)-(7) concern party membership registers and participation in primaries, while Section 84(2) provides for direct primaries or consensus in the nomination of candidates.
The judgment has, however, sparked concerns over its possible implications for candidates whose party membership, waivers or nomination processes may be challenged.
Several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Allied People’s Movement and Labour Party, have maintained that the ruling does not invalidate their candidates.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress also dismissed concerns over the eligibility of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.
NDC National Publicity Secretary said the Supreme Court judgment should not be subjected to individual interpretations, adding that anyone challenging a candidate’s eligibility should seek judicial redress.
Adaramodu said any review of the Electoral Act, if considered necessary, would only be undertaken after the 2027 elections.
