By Jeremy Fregene
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has condemned what he described as the silence of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), student bodies, and civil society organisations over what he termed an attempt by the National Assembly to legitimise certificate forgery in elections.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, Abdullahi expressed concern that key stakeholders had left opposition parties alone to challenge the controversial provisions, describing the development as a direct affront to Nigeria’s educational standards.
He criticised the proposed law, which reportedly removes certificate forgery as a basis for challenging election results, warning that it undermines integrity in governance and sets a dangerous precedent.
“Before Nigeria attained independence, the struggle was collectively fought by civil society, labour unions, and student unions. It wasn’t left for opposition parties alone like what we are currently experiencing,” Abdullahi said.
He accused the APC-led Federal Government of pursuing self-serving legislation to retain power, adding that such actions erode public trust and portray Nigeria as “a nation of certificate forgers.”
Using an analogy, Abdullahi said: “So, if armed robbers rob a house, as long as they are not caught at the scene, they can get away with the loot. This is essentially what the National Assembly is saying with this proposed law on certificate forgery.”
He urged the government to allow Nigerians to freely determine their leaders in the 2027 elections and to desist from propaganda, noting that the current administration has failed to deliver visionary leadership and has deepened poverty across the country.
Abdullahi also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to subject his administration to public scrutiny, stressing that “you can’t mark your own script.” He cited insecurity, kidnappings, and killings as evidence of governance failure.
On speculations about his political ambitions, Abdullahi dismissed claims that he plans to contest the Kwara State governorship in 2027, reaffirming his commitment to opposition politics. “We’ll contest in all elections in 2027, but as for whether I will throw my hat in the ring for governorship, I don’t even have any hat to throw,” he said.
He added that he would reject any overtures from the ruling APC, insisting, “I believe I’m playing the role of the face of the opposition well, as assigned by God. Every generation has a duty to contribute to bettering the country.”
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum has also criticised the National Assembly over provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), particularly the removal of certificate forgery and qualification-related issues as grounds for election petitions.
The group called on the Federal Government to make public the full details of the amended law, rather than releasing it in fragments following presidential assent.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, its President, Akin Malaolu, expressed concern over Section 138(1) of the amended Act, which limits election disputes to two grounds: claims of invalidity arising from corrupt practices or non-compliance with electoral laws, and claims that a candidate was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes.
He also referenced Section 138(3), which prescribes penalties of not less than N5 million for legal practitioners and N10 million for petitioners who file cases outside the permitted grounds.
The forum noted that removing “qualification” issues, such as certificate forgery, from admissible petition grounds represents a sharp departure from previous electoral laws that allowed such challenges.
Malaolu said the development prompted internal consultations within the group, leading to a detailed review of the provisions and their implications for governance.
“We have reflected deeply on these provisions and undertaken a critical introspection of the quality of leadership in the present National Assembly, particularly its apparent failure to consider the implications of clauses that appear sympathetic to forgery,” he said.
He warned that any legal framework perceived to tolerate or shield forgery could embolden dishonesty, falsification, and misrepresentation, especially in the education sector.
“Fraud and forgery are not taught in schools, but they thrive when society fails to uphold standards that discourage them,” he added.
Malaolu stressed the need to preserve legal and moral safeguards, warning that weakening them could have far-reaching consequences for national integrity.
The forum further cautioned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions could be undermined if the identified gaps in the legislation are not urgently addressed.