The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised serious concerns over the continued delay by the National Assembly in passing the 2025 Electoral Bill, warning that the hesitation could severely undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the legislature—dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—of deliberately stalling the bill, describing the situation as a case of “continued prevarication” that raises troubling questions about the lawmakers’ commitment to electoral integrity.
According to the party, the failure to promptly transmit the Electoral Bill for presidential assent fuels suspicions that critical amendments designed to strengthen the electoral process are being intentionally delayed. The ADC argued that many of the proposed changes are aimed at making elections more transparent and harder to manipulate, and that postponing their passage could be a calculated attempt to weaken these safeguards.
“The failure to promptly pass the bill for presidential assent raises suspicions that the legislature, which is dominated by the APC, is deliberately delaying key amendments, especially those intended to make future elections more difficult to rig,” the statement read.
The ADC also cautioned that the bill introduces new compliance and eligibility requirements which political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must clearly understand and implement. It warned that inadequate time to study and adapt to these provisions could have far-reaching consequences for electoral administration and party participation.
“Failure to allow sufficient time to study and implement these provisions could have serious consequences for both political parties and INEC,” the party noted.
Further expressing concern, the ADC warned that unclear or hastily implemented electoral guidelines could create what it described as “booby traps” for opposition parties, while also complicating INEC’s ability to issue clear, enforceable regulations within the timelines prescribed by law.
The party highlighted a specific provision requiring INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before a general election, stressing that time is already running out for adequate preparation and compliance ahead of 2027.
Consequently, the ADC called on the National Assembly to immediately conclude work on the Electoral Bill and transmit it for presidential assent, warning that any further delay could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Any postponement risks the integrity of the 2027 general elections and undermines confidence in the entire electoral process. Nigeria cannot afford another acrimonious or dubious election,” the statement added.
The party also appealed to civil society organisations, international partners, and all stakeholders committed to democratic accountability to intensify pressure on the National Assembly to act swiftly.
“Nigerians cannot afford another election cycle without these essential safeguards,” Abdullahi said.
