The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that continued delays by the National Assembly in passing the 2025 Electoral Act amendment could undermine preparations for Nigeria’s next general election and weaken public confidence in the democratic process.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the slow pace of action by lawmakers has raised concerns that key reforms meant to improve the credibility of elections may be deliberately stalled. He argued that the legislature, which is dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), appears unwilling to hasten amendments that would strengthen transparency and accountability in the electoral system.
According to the ADC, several provisions in the proposed amendment introduce new compliance, operational, and eligibility requirements for political parties and election administrators. Abdullahi said political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) need adequate time to fully understand, plan for, and implement these changes ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party cautioned that rushing the process at the last minute or leaving the legal framework unclear could create serious challenges. It warned that vague or poorly timed amendments could become “booby traps” for opposition parties and make it difficult for INEC to issue clear and timely guidelines for elections.
One of the key concerns raised by the ADC is a provision that requires INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before a general election. The party noted that with time already running out, further delays in passing the bill would shrink the window for proper preparation by both the electoral body and political parties.
The ADC stressed that postponing the amendment any further could threaten the integrity of the 2027 polls and erode public trust in the electoral process. It urged the National Assembly to act urgently and ensure the bill is transmitted to the president for assent without delay.
“Nigeria cannot afford another disputed or acrimonious election,” the party said, calling on civil society groups, international partners, and pro-democracy stakeholders to put pressure on lawmakers to speed up the process.
The concerns echo similar allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently accused the Senate of deliberately slowing down the amendment of the Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had earlier assured Nigerians that the upper chamber would fast-track the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, stating in a New Year message in January that electoral reforms remain a legislative priority.
