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Respect Electoral Law and Democratic Principles, Tinubu Tells Nigerian Politicians
Tinubu defends signing the Electoral Act, saying he had no choice after National Assembly approval and urging politicians to resolve disagreements through debate and respect for democracy.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian politicians to abide by the rule of law and uphold democratic values, urging them to respect the provisions of the Electoral Act (Nigeria) regardless of political differences.
Speaking at an interfaith breakfast at the Presidential Villa attended by leaders of the All Progressives Congress and the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Tinubu described himself as a committed democrat shaped by decades of political struggle.
He recounted his involvement in pro-democracy activism and membership of the National Democratic Coalition during Nigeria’s fight against military rule.
“We are all democrats and we all subscribed to this democracy voluntarily, willingly, and we’ve been at it selflessly in the last 26 years. Some of us have the bruises from it, struggling for it. We went to detention, we protested. We went on exile and all of that. We formed NADECO. We got here,” Tinubu said.
The president said his belief in democracy remains unwavering.
“I followed the leadership destiny that God has done and chosen for me, there’s no doubt about that. I’m a die-hard democrat, and I follow that belief wholeheartedly, committedly, to a united country, Nigeria. That principle and that philosophy will live and die with me.”
Tinubu also stressed that participation in political parties is a voluntary decision.
“We are all democrats, voluntarily, party alliances, party ideologies or no ideology, party boat, party platform, in whichever form, it’s voluntary. Be persecuted for it. So, no threat from any democrat.”
Controversy over amended Electoral Act
His remarks follow criticism from opposition groups and civil society organizations over aspects of the recently amended Electoral Act, signed into law on February 18.
The law introduces several changes, including optional electronic transmission of results, new rules governing party membership registers, the adoption of direct or consensus primaries and restrictions on court interventions in electoral disputes.
Defending the legislation, Tinubu insisted democracy must operate within the framework of the law.
“The rule of law must prevail in any democracy, yes, rule of law. Majority will have their say and their way, and minority will have their say and might not have their way. That is the sweetness, the essence of democracy.”
He encouraged politicians to engage in constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.
“Argue it, debate it intellectually, interrogate each other, honestly and sincerely, but we are committed to the same thing, peace and stability of the country.”
Tinubu said his decision to sign the bill was guided by constitutional responsibility and legislative approval.
“That I signed the Electoral Act, I have no choice. I don’t want to throw the country into turmoil of arguments, there is an overwhelming majority by the National Assembly that passed the law… I submitted myself to the principle of rule of law, democracy. I signed, the rest is history. We’ll meet at the polls.”
IPAC seeks review of some provisions
Earlier, IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle commended Tinubu’s leadership but urged the government to reconsider some provisions.
He appealed for flexibility on the 21-day deadline for submitting party membership registers and called for the restoration of indirect primaries for smaller parties.
“We are not saying give us money to go and spend, no, but prudently what we can use to take care of administration of our political parties. You are a product of multi-party democracy, Your Excellency.”
Dantalle also requested government assistance to enable IPAC move from its rented office to a permanent location.
Closing the meeting, Tinubu emphasized the need for unity and respect for democratic processes.
“The game is sweet only when you are winning. It’s alright we must accommodate one another, we must help one another. We must strengthen the platform. But democracy is it? Yes, there must be peace, stability and commitment to rule of law.”
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