Makinde Claims He Has Yet to See the Signed Electoral Act

Oyo State's Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reported that he has not had access to the newly signed Electoral Act, which was endorsed by President Bola Tinubu.

"I haven’t seen it. That is the reality," said Makinde on Friday while addressing attendees at the Obafemi Awolowo Lecture 2026 in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

The event commemorated the 117th posthumous birthday of the esteemed leader, Obafemi Awolowo, under the theme, "Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory of Action."

During his address, Makinde articulated his worries that the new Electoral Act, which is to oversee the upcoming elections, remains inaccessible to the public.

Daily Trust has noted that the Act has sparked controversy, with numerous opposition figures across Nigeria expressing their disapproval of the framework.

Notable opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have publicly denounced the 2026 Electoral Act that was approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Tinubu.

In a recent press conference titled "Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy," leading opposition figures such as former Senate President David Mark, ex- Governor of Osun State Rauf Aregbesola, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi criticized aspects of the amended law, branding them as "anti-democratic" and advocated for necessary amendments.

At the Awo Lecture, Makinde reiterated that he, as a state governor, has yet to receive a copy of the newly enacted Electoral Act.

"As a governor of a state in Nigeria, I've been requesting that the Electoral Act signed by the President be provided so that we understand the guidelines we are working with," he elaborated.

"I haven’t seen it. That is the reality. I haven’t seen it," he emphasized to the audience.

While addressing the senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who was present at the event, the governor remarked, "Well, there’s a senator of the Federal Republic here. If you have it, please, I would like to have it."

Daniel, in response to questions from reporters, disputed Makinde's claim, asserting that the Electoral Act has indeed been published in the gazette and is publicly accessible.

"I can confirm, as a senator of the Federal Republic, that the Electoral Act has been gazetted. Even from here, I can retrieve the gazette of that Electoral Act on my phone," he stated.

"I believe the governor might not have the latest information. I have assured him I would send it to him," added Daniel.

Earlier in his remarks, Makinde paid tribute to Awolowo for his pivotal role in Nigeria's educational, socio-economic, and political development, particularly in the South-West region.

He expressed appreciation for Awolowo's advocacy for a multi-party democracy and urged contemporary politicians to mirror Awolowo's approach by prioritizing the generations to come over immediate electoral gains.

"While I support the notion of true federalism, it necessitates consensus among the elite. We must unite and stop narrowing our focus to the upcoming elections. It's crucial to consider the future," Makinde asserted.

In his reflections, Daniel highlighted Awolowo's belief that political freedom without clear structure would ultimately falter under internal contradictions.

"For Awolowo, a vision for the future required a commitment to responsibility and leadership that looks beyond mere election cycles," he remarked.

He encouraged younger leaders to engage with Awolowo's ideas critically and adapt them while maintaining core values applicable to their unique experiences.