Electoral Amendment Act, a Shut-Out Reform – Otunba Babatunde Olushola Senbanjo

By Otunba Babatunde Olushola Senbanjo(BOS)

The continuous delay in the passage and implementation of the Electoral Amendment Act is not only disappointing but a clear betrayal of the democratic aspirations of Nigerians. It exposes, once again, a political class that benefits from weak institutions, flawed electoral processes, and a system designed to protect incumbency rather than the will of the people.

Elections are the heartbeat of democracy. When the legal framework guiding elections is deliberately stalled, manipulated, or weakened, democracy itself is placed on life support. The delay of the Electoral Amendment Act is not accidental; it is a calculated political strategy by those who profit from electoral loopholes, vote buying, judicial manipulation, and administrative ambiguity. This delay sends a dangerous message that the ruling elite fears transparency, accountability, and credible elections.

For years, Nigerians have demanded reforms that will strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), guarantee the electronic transmission of results, reduce the influence of money politics, and close the gaps that allow rigging and post-election litigation to override the people’s mandate. Yet, despite widespread public consensus and repeated promises by lawmakers and the executive, the Electoral Amendment Act continues to suffer intentional delays, endless debates, and procedural bottlenecks.

This delay undermines public trust in governance. Citizens who turn out to vote, often at great personal risk, deserve assurance that their votes will count and not be subverted by outdated laws and compromised processes. When reforms are stalled close to election periods, it creates suspicion that the delay is meant to preserve the old order where elections are won not at the ballot box but through backroom deals, intimidation, and judicial gymnastics.

The delay also weakens Nigeria’s international democratic standing. As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria should be setting the standard for credible elections and democratic governance. Instead, repeated failures to implement electoral reforms portray the country as unserious about democracy, reinforcing the perception of a system captured by political elites who are disconnected from the suffering and aspirations of ordinary citizens.

More troubling is the hypocrisy of lawmakers who campaign on reformist agendas only to frustrate those same reforms once in office. The National Assembly exists to represent the people, not to shield political interests. Any legislator who contributes to delaying the Electoral Amendment Act is complicit in undermining democracy and should be held politically and morally accountable by Nigerians.

The delay further fuels political apathy, especially among young people. When citizens see that the rules of the game are intentionally kept unfair, they lose faith in participation. This is dangerous for national stability. A democracy that shuts out reform breeds frustration, resentment, and disengagement, which can have long-term consequences for peace and unity.

Nigeria does not need excuses; it needs action. Electoral reforms should not be treated as optional or negotiable. They are a constitutional necessity and a moral obligation. Any government or legislature that truly believes in democracy must prioritise the immediate passage and full implementation of the Electoral Amendment Act well ahead of elections, not on the eve of them.

History will judge harshly those who deliberately delayed reforms for selfish gain. Nigerians are watching, and they will remember who stood for credible elections and who chose to sabotage the future for short-term political survival. Democracy cannot thrive where laws are delayed to favour the powerful.

The Electoral Amendment Act must be passed, implemented, and respected without excuses, without delay, and without compromise.