Clement Nwankwo, the convener of the Civil Society Situation Room, has issued a passionate plea to the Nigerian public to maintain their pressure on the National Assembly following a controversial move by the Senate. Speaking on Thursday, the veteran activist warned that the latest version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, as passed by the upper chamber, contains provisions that could effectively derail the credibility of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
According to insights gathered by Reports during a recent television appearance, Nwankwo argued that the Senate’s version of the bill does not actually represent the collective will of the lawmakers. He claimed that the outcome was more a result of procedural maneuvering than a genuine majority vote. He noted that the power to “hit the gavel” was used to suppress the actual preferences of many senators, several of whom are reportedly aggrieved by how the decision was finalized.
One of the most significant points of contention is the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results. While the House of Representatives passed a version that aligns with public demands and stakeholder consultations, the Senate’s stance has been viewed by critics as a step backward. Nwankwo believes that if the current Senate version becomes law, it will create “electoral chaos” for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The logistical nightmare, as described by Nwankwo, stems from both the lack of electronic transmission and sudden changes to electoral timelines. He warned that tampering with these established schedules would make it nearly impossible for INEC to manage election logistics effectively. He urged citizens to demand that the House of Representatives’ version be the one retained during the harmonization process, as it is far more in tune with the transparency Nigerians are asking for.
Despite the setback in the upper chamber, Nwankwo praised the resilience of organized labor, the media, and various civil society groups. He pointed to recent protests organized by the Situation Room as just the beginning of a sustained campaign to protect the sanctity of the ballot. He emphasized that the media’s role in analyzing and highlighting these “dangerous” provisions is vital to ensuring that public awareness remains high.
As the bill moves toward its next stage, the call for Nigerians to raise their voices has never been more urgent. Stakeholders across the board continue to insist that without mandatory electronic transmission and realistic timelines, the dream of a free, fair, and credible election in 2027 remains at risk.
