By Solomon OKPO
Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has cautioned that Nigeria’s electoral system still permits situations where candidates rejected by voters at the polls may ultimately be declared winners through judicial rulings, stressing the need for urgent and careful reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oshiomhole made the remarks on February 5, 2026, during an interview with News Central TV, where he weighed in on ongoing discussions surrounding proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. Drawing from personal experience, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said legal technicalities have, in some instances, overridden the expressed will of the electorate.
“A man can be rejected by the people in an election, yet due to technicalities, a court may return him as elected,” Oshiomhole stated, noting that such outcomes raise serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process.
He argued that while courts have a constitutional responsibility to interpret and enforce electoral laws, the existing legal framework sometimes produces outcomes that contradict the choices made by voters, thereby creating tension between judicial authority and democratic ideals.
According to the former Edo State governor, the Electoral Act must be reviewed in a manner that ensures respect for the will of the people while still upholding due process and the rule of law.
“This is why it is essential to review the Electoral Act carefully to ensure that voters’ will is respected while maintaining legal compliance,” he said.
Oshiomhole further warned that the 2027 general elections would pose new challenges, making it imperative to strengthen electoral laws to close technical loopholes and prevent manipulation, without disenfranchising citizens or weakening democratic participation.
He called on key stakeholders—lawmakers, political parties, civil society organisations and election observers—to actively engage in the reform process, stressing that any amendments must prioritise transparency, fairness and the protection of voters’ rights.
His comments come amid renewed national debates on electoral reforms, judicial interventions in election disputes and growing public concern over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Oshiomhole maintained that restoring public confidence in elections remains critical to the survival of democracy, warning that reforms that fail to reflect the will of the electorate risk deepening voter apathy and mistrust in democratic institutions.
