seeks reinstatement
THE pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has criticised the removal of the provision on forged certificates as a ground for filing election petitions in the Electoral Act 2026, describing the move as retrogressive and dangerous for democracy.
In a communiqué signed by its leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, the group expressed alarm that the National Assembly had “constricted the democratic space” by limiting the grounds upon which election petitions may be filed.
Afenifere noted that while the 1999 Constitution disqualifies any candidate who presents a false or forged certificate, the new Electoral Act restricts election petitions to only two grounds.
According to the group, the law now provides that an election petition may only be filed on the basis that the election was invalid due to corrupt practices or non-compliance with the Act or that the declared winner was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes.
The organisation said that before the amendment, the presentation of a forged certificate was legally recognised as a ground upon which the qualification of a candidate could be challenged in an election petition.
It warned that removing the provision could embolden individuals with questionable academic credentials to seek and occupy public offices without scrutiny.
“A candidate, who presents a false or forged certificate, is clearly disqualified under the Constitution. It is, therefore, questionable whether the National Assembly can by mere legislation limit or set aside these constitutional provisions,” the communiqué stated.
The group also criticised the law for imposing financial penalties on petitioners and their lawyers who bring cases outside the grounds recognised under the Act.
Afenifere argued that the development of laws should expand and strengthen democratic safeguards rather than weaken them.
It said the removal of forged certificate allegations as a basis for election petitions could encourage “forgers, presenters of dodgy biographies and possessors of dubious certificates” to seek offices such as President, governors and legislators without being challenged.
The organisation therefore called for the withdrawal and re-enactment of the law to restore the provision recognising forged certificates as grounds for disqualification in election petitions.
It further urged lawmakers to revisit other controversial aspects of the electoral law, including the issue of electronic transmission of election results.
According to the group, the compulsory electronic transmission of election results reflects the popular will of Nigerians but was weakened by the inclusion of a manual alternative in the legislation.
Afenifere maintained that revisiting the law to reflect the wishes of the electorate would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process and enhance public confidence in elections.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune