𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳: 𝗔𝘁𝗶𝗸𝘂 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟲𝟯, 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗶𝗴 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

By George OPARA

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice of Nigeria and African Democratic Congress (ADC, presidential contender has disagreed with the National Assembly Electoral Act, section 63 which allows the returning officers to use their personal discretion to count a ballot paper without official mark, describing it as subtle loophole to rig the 2027 general election results.

Atiku who also called for immediate amendment, explained that the use of such a subjective discretion is a direct invitation to manipulation, disruption and violence.

Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s senior special assistant on public communication said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja said Section 63 of the Act was a grave and dangerous ambiguity

The ADC presidential contender said the error can threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s election, insisting that it is not a minor technical issue.

The former vice-president added that any legal provision that permits discretion to determine the validity of ballot papers is a loophole that could be exploited to compromise the will of the people.

*This is not a minor technical issue—it is a direct threat to electoral integrity,” the statement reads.

“A democracy cannot survive on ambiguity. A ballot must either meet the standard or it does not.

“The moment you leave such a critical decision to subjective judgment, you invite manipulation, dispute, and ultimately, chaos.”

He averred that though the provision may have been conceived to prevent voter disenfranchisement, its current framing is capable of undermining public trust in the electoral system

“At a time when Nigerians are demanding transparency and credibility, it is reckless to retain a clause that weakens confidence in the very foundation of democracy, the vote,” he added.

He said that the provision is a loophole carried over from previous electoral laws into the current Act without sufficient safeguards.

“Rather than close known gaps in our electoral framework, the amendment regrettably preserved a provision that still leaves room for subjective interpretation at a critical stage of the process

He, however, called on the national assembly to amend the Electoral Act to eliminate any room for discretion in ballot validation and to establish non-negotiable standards that protect the integrity of every vote.

“The leadership of the National Assembly should have been more cautious than casual in handling provisions that touch the very heart of our democracy,” he said.

“A ballot paper is not an ordinary piece of paper—it is a legal instrument whose authenticity is central to the credibility of the entire electoral process.

“This is not about blame—it is about responsibility. And this provision must be corrected to restore public confidence and protect the sanctity of the vote.

This loophole must be corrected. Democracy thrives on certainty, not discretion—and Nigeria cannot afford anything less.

“The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also bears a duty to subject every critical legislation to rigorous scrutiny before appending his signature.”