I Didn’t Want to Throw Nigeria Into Crisis – Tinubu Explains Why He Approved Electoral Act

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that he had no alternative but to approve the Electoral Act, explaining that the legislation was passed with overwhelming backing from the National Assembly of Nigeria.

According to the president, his decision was guided by the need to uphold the rule of law and prevent the country from sliding into political instability.

He made this known on Wednesday while speaking to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the State House in Abuja, where he discussed governance challenges and the realities of operating within a democratic system.

Tinubu explains decision on Electoral Act

While commenting on the Electoral Act, Tinubu noted that the bill received strong support from lawmakers, making it necessary for him to respect the collective decision of the legislature.

“I had no choice. I did not want to push the country into unnecessary turmoil caused by prolonged arguments,” Tinubu said.

He explained that the majority of members of the National Assembly supported the bill, and if he had serious objections, he would have raised them earlier in the process.

“There was an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly that passed the law. If I had strong reservations, I would have made them known. However, I chose to submit to the principle of democracy and the rule of law. I signed the bill, and the rest is now history,” he added.

Democracy requires compromise and cooperation

The president emphasized that democracy cannot function without compromise, cooperation, and mutual understanding among political stakeholders.

According to him, political competition often feels satisfying only when one side emerges victorious, but the stability of the nation must always come first.

“The game of politics appears sweet only when you are winning,” Tinubu said.

He further stressed that both leaders and citizens must learn to work together, support one another, and strengthen democratic institutions for the benefit of the country.

“We must accommodate one another. We must assist one another. We must continue to strengthen the platform of democracy. In a democratic system, there must be peace, stability, and commitment to the rule of law,” the president concluded.