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BREAKING: President Tinubu Signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill into Law Ahead of 2027 Polls
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, signed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, around 5:00 p.m., finalizing sweeping changes to Nigeria’s electoral framework just days after the National Assembly passed the harmonized version and following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) release of the 2027 election timetable.
The ceremony was attended by principal officers of the National Assembly, marking a swift assent to the legislation that repeals the 2022 Act and enacts fresh provisions to govern federal, state, and FCT elections.
Key highlights of the new law include a hybrid approach to result transmission: mandatory electronic upload of polling unit results to INEC’s IReV portal where feasible, with manual collation retained as a fallback option in cases of network failures, technical glitches, or other disruptions a provision that sparked intense debate and opposition protests during legislative proceedings.
The Senate’s passage on Tuesday featured a dramatic division vote on Clause 60(3), with 55 lawmakers supporting the retention of the manual proviso against 15 opponents, largely from opposition parties.
The House of Representatives saw rowdy sessions, opposition walkouts, and chants of “APC, ole” (thief) in protest over what critics called a dilution of full electronic transmission.
Other notable amendments include adjustments to election timelines (reducing the mandatory notice period to align with the 2027 calendar, avoiding overlaps with Ramadan), provisions on party primaries (emphasizing direct primaries while allowing consensus in some cases), and clarifications aimed at enhancing procedural efficiency for the February 20, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6 gubernatorial and state assembly polls.
The signing has reignited nationwide controversy. Opposition figures and civil society organizations have condemned the hybrid transmission clause as a step backward from transparency gains in the 2022 Act, warning it could enable manipulation and erode public trust. Former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini had urged Tinubu not to assent, describing the bill as a “recipe for chaos” that favors elites over voters.
Supporters, including ruling APC lawmakers, argue the changes provide necessary flexibility for Nigeria’s diverse terrain and infrastructure challenges, ensuring elections proceed smoothly even in remote or poorly connected areas.
INEC is expected to issue guidance on implementing the new provisions soon, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The development follows months of legislative back-and-forth, public hearings, and heated plenary sessions, underscoring deep divisions over electoral integrity in Africa’s most populous democracy.
President Tinubu’s swift assent has drawn mixed reactions on social media and among stakeholders, with calls for judicial challenges already emerging from critics who view the law as undermining the push for fully digital, tamper-proof elections.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified reports circulating about an increase in the monthly upkeep allowance for student beneficiaries, describing such claims as inaccurate.
According to the Fund, the officially approved monthly upkeep allowance remains ₦20,000, not ₦25,000 as widely reported in some quarters.
NELFUND urged students and the general public to disregard any misleading information and rely solely on its verified communication channels for updates and announcements.
The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and delivering student-centered financial support across the country, urging students seeking further clarification or assistance to contact NELFUND via its official email and social media platforms for prompt and accurate responses.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a fresh round of strategic appointments, naming Senator Ibrahim Ida as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and nominating seven new Federal Commissioners for the National Population Commission (NPC).
In a statement by the Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Senator Ida, a former lawmaker who represented Katsina Central in the Senate, holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan and a Law degree from the University of Abuja.
His career spans roles as Commissioner of Finance in Katsina State and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
According to the statement, the NPC nominees include Kolawole Oladipupo Alabi for Ekiti, Nasiru Mu’azu for Zamfara, and Usman Abubakar Tuggar for Bauchi State.
Also nominated are Dr Isiaka Alada Yahaya representing Kwara, Professor Sadiq Isah Radda for Katsina, Suleiman Umar for Jigawa, and Honourable Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo for Sokoto State.
Their appointments are subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.In a related development, President Tinubu has confirmed the appointment of Bala Mohammed Bello as Special Adviser on Political Economy. Bello, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, previously served as Executive Director at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
Meanwhile, Dr Yusuf Mohammed from Kano State has been appointed Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo.
The President expressed confidence that all appointees will effectively deliver on their mandates and contribute to improving the quality of life for Nigerians.
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Just in: Tuggar resigns as Foreign Minister
Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to pursue the Bauchi State governorship in the 2027 elections.
The Ministry confirmed the resignation on Monday through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
Tuggar’s resignation comes following a presidential directive issued earlier in March.
The order, communicated through the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, required all political appointees seeking elective positions to resign by March 31, 2026.
The directive applies to ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, and heads of federal agencies.
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