Presidency Criticized for Hasty Electoral Act Signing

Public affairs analyst Sumner Sambo accused the presidency of failing Nigerians by not doing due diligence before signing the 2026 Electoral Act, which led to a Federal High Court nullifying key portions of INEC's electoral timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Sambo, speaking on Arise Television Thursday, said the president was 'too hasty' to sign the Act without proper review. He questioned why INEC rushed candidate submission deadlines, moving them from September to January 16, then further to May, despite having 120 days for election preparation between May and September.

The analyst suggested the timeline confusion may stem from the National Assembly's delayed passage of the electoral act, which should have been completed by December 2025 to allow INEC proper planning time. The court nullification creates uncertainty for political parties preparing candidates and campaigns for next year's elections. Does rushed legislation risk undermining Nigeria's electoral integrity, or is this normal political process?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/05/22/electoral-act-how-presidency-failed-nigerians-sambo/