Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government and the leadership of the National Assembly of deliberately delaying the amendment of the Electoral Act, warning that the move is a calculated attempt to manipulate the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku said the continued foot-dragging on critical electoral reforms poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and undermines public confidence in the electoral process.

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According to him, key provisions that would strengthen transparency, credibility, and fairness in elections—such as clearer rules on electronic transmission of results, party primaries, and the independence of the electoral umpire—have been left unattended despite repeated calls from stakeholders.

> “The refusal or delay in amending the Electoral Act well ahead of the 2027 elections can only be interpreted as a plot to rig future polls,” Atiku said. “A government that is confident of popular support has nothing to fear from a strong, transparent electoral framework.”

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stressed that early passage of the Electoral Act amendments would give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) enough time to prepare and implement reforms effectively.

Atiku also called on civil society groups, opposition parties, and Nigerians at large to remain vigilant and pressure lawmakers to act in the national interest rather than partisan considerations.

He warned that failure to carry out timely reforms could plunge the country into electoral disputes and political instability, adding that Nigeria cannot afford a repeat of past controversies surrounding election credibility.

The National Assembly has yet to officially respond to Atiku’s claims, but lawmakers have previously argued that electoral reforms require extensive consultations before passage.

As political activities gradually build toward 2027, the debate over the Electoral Act is expected to intensify, with stakeholders divided over whether the delay is procedural—or political.