Fatimah Otunsanya
The All Progressives Congress in Lagos State has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu following his assent on Wednesday to the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment), dismissing critics as “noisemakers” driven by sentiment rather than substance.
In a statement on Thursday, Lagos APC’s Public Relations Officer, Seye Oladejo, described opposition reactions to the amendment as “orchestrated hysteria,” insisting that governance “transcends emotion.”
The party emphasised that the president’s decision followed due constitutional process, legislative debate, and institutional consultation, stressing that governance is not a popularity contest or a theatre for digital propaganda.
“It must be stated without equivocation that governance is a serious constitutional duty carried out in the best interest of the Nigerian people,” the statement partly read.
The party warned those seeking to weaponise public sentiment that democracy thrives on credibility, not noise. It added that electoral integrity cannot be built on fragile systems designed more for headlines than durability, stressing that responsible governance anticipates risks before they mature into crises.
NigeriaTodayTimes reported that Tinubu on Wednesday signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, after the National Assembly passed the bill on Tuesday.
The amendment triggered protests and agitations, particularly over the “real-time, electronic transmission” of election results.
In its statement, Lagos APC criticised opposition figures for promoting what it called a “romanticised and misleading narrative” around real-time transmission models, noting that similar systems in other countries faced technological glitches, legal ambiguities, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and judicial reversals.
The party argued that elevating political convenience above systemic integrity could expose Nigeria to avoidable risks. “The people of Nigeria deserve reforms that strengthen institutions, not experiments that may compromise them,” it said.
“What manner of democracy suggests that the opposition alone possesses superior wisdom?” the party queried, insisting that electoral reform is not the exclusive preserve of any political bloc.
Lagos APC accused critics of opportunism disguised as patriotism, noting that demands for “absolute technological guarantees” ignored Nigeria’s infrastructure disparities and constitutional and logistical realities.
The statement maintained that Tinubu’s assent reflected prudence, underscoring the need for reforms that are thoughtful, sustainable, and legally defensible.
While acknowledging the importance of opposition in a democracy, the Lagos APC cautioned against distortion, adding that those who failed to build durable electoral confidence while in office should refrain from lecturing others.
“Governance transcends emotion. It demands maturity over melodrama, substance over spectacle, and nation over narrative,” the statement concluded.