Yoruba Group Slams N’Assembly for Excluding Certificate Forgery in Electoral Law

A South-West group, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, has criticised the National Assembly over what it described as a major gap in the amended Electoral Act 2026.

The group said the law failed to recognise certificate forgery and qualification issues as valid grounds for challenging election results.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the forum’s president, Akin Malaolu, expressed concern over Section 138(1) of the Act.

He noted that the section limits election petitions to only two grounds. These include cases of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the law, and situations where a candidate was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes.

Malaolu pointed out that subsection (3) of the same law imposes heavy penalties. He said legal practitioners risk fines of at least N5 million, while petitioners could face fines from N10 million, if they file cases outside the stated provisions.

The group argued that the exclusion of qualification issues marks a sharp break from past electoral laws. It said previous frameworks allowed allegations such as certificate forgery to be challenged in court.

Malaolu accused lawmakers of overlooking serious implications. He suggested that the current provisions may indirectly protect wrongdoing. According to him, ignoring forgery-related cases could weaken accountability in public office.

“Our members have been inundating us as leaders to take a clear position on whether this development is appropriate or not,” the statement read.

He added that the group had carefully reviewed the law and reflected on its impact. The forum questioned the judgment of the current Assembly, especially on matters affecting leadership quality and public trust.

“Any government that appears to defend forgery risks encouraging fraud, false declarations, and misrepresentation within the educational system, thereby eroding societal values,” the statement added.

The group warned that such legal gaps could damage Nigeria’s democratic structure. It said failing to address these issues may promote a culture where misconduct goes unpunished.

The forum also linked the development to what it described as a decline in governance under the All Progressives Congress. It urged lawmakers and relevant stakeholders to urgently review the controversial sections of the Act.

It further recommended that the law be amended to include clear provisions on qualification and certificate verification. The group also called for the removal of any clause that may appear to tolerate forgery or related offences.

“We must resist any attempt to diminish our legal and moral standards. These are our considered positions,” the statement concluded.