The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum has criticised the National Assembly over controversial provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), warning that the exclusion of certificate forgery and qualification-related disputes from election petitions could weaken Nigeria’s democratic system.
The group also called on the Federal Government to publish the full version of the amended law, rather than releasing its contents in fragments following presidential assent.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, its President, Akin Malaolu, raised concerns over Section 138(1) of the legislation, which restricts election petitions to two grounds: claims of invalidity due to corrupt practices or non-compliance with electoral laws, and allegations that a candidate was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes.
He further pointed to Section 138(3), which prescribes penalties of at least ₦5 million for legal practitioners and ₦10 million for petitioners who file cases outside the approved grounds.
According to the forum, the removal of qualification-related issues, including allegations of certificate forgery, marks a significant departure from previous electoral frameworks that allowed such matters to be challenged in court.
Malaolu said the development had prompted widespread concern within the group, leading to a detailed review of the amended provisions and their broader implications.
“We have reflected deeply on these provisions and undertaken a critical introspection of the quality of leadership in the present National Assembly, particularly its apparent failure to consider the implications of clauses that appear sympathetic to forgery,” he said.
He warned that any legal structure perceived to tolerate or shield forgery could embolden dishonesty and misrepresentation in society, particularly within the education sector.
“Fraud and forgery are not taught in schools, but they thrive when society fails to uphold standards that discourage them,” he added.
The forum stressed the need to uphold legal and moral standards, cautioning that weakening such safeguards could have long-term consequences for national integrity and public trust.
It further warned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions risk being undermined if the identified gaps in the legislation are not urgently addressed.
