Atiku Claims Electoral Act Delay is a Scheme to Manipulate 2027 Elections

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has claimed that the delay by the National Assembly in approving the Electoral Act is a strategy to manipulate the upcoming 2027 elections.

The presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the previous election contended that significant challenges faced during the last election stemmed from flaws in the "Electoral Act 2022, which enabled extensive electoral fraud."

Atiku expressed in a statement on Thursday that these same flaws have made it nearly impossible for litigants to present their cases effectively in court.

He accused lawmakers of having the intention to derail the amendment process.

Atiku stated, "It is vital to address the errors from the 2023 elections; thus, the regulatory framework for conducting the 2027 and future elections must be reassessed."

He continued, "Currently, it is evident that the Senate is determined to obstruct the adjustments to the 2022 Electoral Act."

He pointed out that a recent report by FIJ acts as both an indictment of the Senate and an urgent reminder of their legislative duties, stating that "the credibility of the 2027 general elections is contingent upon how promptly the Senate addresses this essential bill."

Atiku emphasized, "It is crucial for the Senate to complete the amendments and ensure the revised law guides the conduct of the 2027 elections. Failing to do so is a calculated effort to rig the elections even before the voting begins."