By EricJames Ochigbo

The Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Adebayo Balogun, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to regulating electoral irregularities through the review of Electoral Act.

Balogun gave the assurance at the opening of a policy dialogue organised by National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue had as its theme: “Election Security and Reforms in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges in Securing Elections Ahead of 2027.”

Balogun said that the house would review the Electoral Act and other security-related statutes to reflect modern realities and international best practices.

According to him, Nigeria’s electoral history reveals a troubling pattern where security concerns hamper voter turnout, displace electoral activities, and lead to inconclusive or disputed outcomes.

The lawmaker said that the realities had underscored the urgent need to rethink and strengthen the security architecture, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“As Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, I wish to reaffirm our commitment in the National Assembly to working collaboratively in reviewing and amending relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

“We will also review other security-related statutes to reflect modern realities and international best practices.

“We must legislate with foresight, with the primary goal of ensuring that every Nigerian can vote safely, freely and without fear.

“Let us use today’s dialogue to ask the difficult questions, offer honest assessments and propose practical solutions that will fortify our democracy, ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on National Population and National Identity, Sen. Victor Umeh, said that it was important for Nigerians to interrogate electoral processes in the country.

According to him, the leadership of a country is dependent on the ability of the country to conduct credible elections.

The senator said that the ability of the citizens to renew their leaders or change them was critical for the survival of democracy, adding that the country was dependent on credible elections.

Umeh, a member of NILDS’ board, said that the idea of participation in elections to make money must be discouraged.

He said that INEC must do all it takes to deliver credible elections.

“What is very critical is that Nigeria must strive to conduct elections under civilised and acceptable templates.

“Let us look for patriotic people who will be on duty on election day; people who will reject bribery, reject any attempt to compromise the elections; people who will ensure the security of the election,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Yusuf Dantale, said that as long as politicians remained desperate to capture power, there would be no end to rigging.

He blamed falsification of results, announcing results under duress, announcing results by compromising resident electoral commissioners as well as snatching and destruction of election materials on the desperation of politicians.

“This will send a strong signal that it is no longer business as usual; we cannot be doing the same thing in every election and expect different result,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, emphasised the need for strengthening research institutions in the country.

Sulaiman said that the easiest way to destroy a country was to allow its research institutions to collapse.

According to him, research is a ready and reliable tool for addressing election security and credible elections, among other challenges bedevilling the country.

“If you want to destroy a nation, destroy the research institutions first. We cannot allow this citadel of knowledge to be compromised.

“Government must give attention to the Electoral Institute under INEC; government must accord what needs to be accorded to the research components of the National Defence College (NDC).

“Government must give attention to the National Judicial Institute (NJI), under the judiciary, and government must give attention to NILDS.

“This is the best way, or the only way, of addressing the fundamental issues in this country,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/’Wale Sadeeq