Afenifere, the Pan-Nigeria sociopolitical group, has expressed alarm over the removal of the forged certificate provision from the Electoral Act, 2026, warning that it undermines democratic accountability and opens the door for unqualified candidates to seek public office.
In a statement signed by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and Prince Justice Faloye, National Publicity Secretary, the group said the National Assembly has “constricted the democratic space by limiting the grounds upon which election petitions may be presented.”
“The new Electoral Act removes a key legal mechanism to challenge candidates who present false or forged certificates,” the statement read.
“This retrogressive development encourages forgers and holders of dubious credentials to emerge unchallenged as President, Governors, and legislators.”
Under the 1999 Constitution, sections 137, 182, 107, and 66 disqualify any candidate who presents a false or forged certificate.
Previously, allegations of forgery were recognized grounds for filing election petitions.
The Electoral Act, 2026, however, restricts petitions to only two grounds: corrupt practices or noncompliance with the Act, and whether the declared winner received the majority of lawful votes.
Afenifere criticized the law for imposing punitive penalties on petitioners and lawyers who challenge candidates outside the prescribed grounds.
“The legislature cannot cavalierly limit constitutional qualifications through ordinary legislation,” the statement said.
The group urged the National Assembly to re-enact the Electoral Act to reinstate the forged certificate clause and other public-good provisions, such as the compulsory electronic transmission of election results, which it said strengthens transparency and protects the will of the people.
“The removal of this provision threatens our democracy and undermines the integrity of public office,” Afenifere said. “It is imperative that the law reflects the yearnings of Nigerians, not the interests of incumbents.”
