By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The Nigerian Senate is considering a major shift in electoral litigation, proposing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — not political candidates — should prove the credibility of elections challenged in court.
The amendment bill, which scaled second reading during plenary on Tuesday, seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls. Lawmakers said the measure would compel INEC to defend its conduct since it controls election materials and logistics.
Leading the debate, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson said the change was necessary to restore public confidence. “It is INEC that conducts elections and keeps all evidence,” he argued. “It should therefore be responsible for showing that its actions were lawful and credible.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a step toward fairness, noting that citizens often lose faith in the process when electoral bodies are presumed infallible. He said the chamber would continue refining the Electoral Act 2022 to close gaps that undermine voter trust.
Other lawmakers, including Senators Ekong Sampson, Mohammed Adamu Aliero, and Adams Oshiomhole, backed the review but urged broader reforms to strengthen enforcement, curb violence, and ensure stricter penalties for malpractice.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on INEC for further consideration before presentation at third reading.
