Princess Abiodun Islamiyat Oyefusi, popularly known for her uprightness and humanitarian services in Lagos State and beyond, petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, February 2, 2026, to sign the Amended Electoral Bill into law through a memorandum released from the Royal Castle of Mercy, Lowa, Ikorodu.
Concerned about the consequences of further delay by the President in assenting to the amended Electoral Bill as law, the “Upright Princess” detailed the causal effects of using flawed electoral laws in her memorandum.
It is significant to remember that the amended Electoral Bill in Nigeria is currently pending at the National Assembly, with the House of Representatives having passed it in December 2025 and the Senate setting up a committee to review it. The bill proposes significant reforms, including electronic transmission of election results, stricter penalties for vote-buying, voting rights for inmates, and sanctions for delegates who manipulate party conventions.
The delay in passing the bill has raised concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general elections, with critics accusing lawmakers of stalling the process to retain the status quo.
Princess Oyefusi cautioned that holding party primaries under outdated laws could undermine candidate legitimacy, spark litigation, and erode public trust in Nigeria's democracy.
In her memorandum, she posed three key issues: Whether failure to enact the Electoral Act amendment prior to party primaries undermines legal certainty and the rule of law; Whether delayed enactment increases the risk of pre-election litigation and electoral disruption; Whether full enforcement of the amended Act is necessary to safeguard internal party democracy and electoral integrity.
Oyefusi cited the Constitution, emphasizing the people's sovereignty and citizens' right to participate in politics.
She argued that electoral laws must be clear before party nominations begin, warning that unclear laws invite disputes and judicial challenges. Delaying the amendment weakens the electoral commission (INEC), making its guidelines vulnerable to legal challenges.
According to Oyefusi, most pre-election disputes stem from flawed primaries. Delaying the amendment encourages forum shopping, conflicting court decisions, and strains the judiciary. Enacting the law before primaries would establish a uniform standard, reducing litigation risks.
She stressed that internal party democracy is a legal obligation, not a political ideal, and urged enforcement of rules on delegate eligibility and nomination procedures.
Oyefusi linked early enforcement of the amended law to public trust and democratic legitimacy. She urged President Tinubu to sign the bill, INEC to issue guidelines, and parties to comply strictly.
Decisive enforcement, she said, is critical to safeguarding Nigeria's democratic credibility.