The African Democratic Congress on Saturday in Abuja warned that delays by the National Assembly in passing the 2025 Electoral Bill could affect preparations for the 2027 general elections. The party said the slow process could weaken electoral reforms and reduce public trust in future elections.
The warning was issued by the ADC Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who blamed the APC-led National Assembly for what the party described as unnecessary delays in handling the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. According to the party, prolonged legislative processes could stall reforms such as electronic voter accreditation and electronic transmission of election results.
The ADC reacted following the Senate’s decision to set up a seven-member ad hoc committee to review and harmonise lawmakers’ views on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill. The committee was inaugurated after a closed-door session where senators discussed unresolved issues surrounding the bill. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the panel, led by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, would work on streamlining the amendment process.
The party expressed concern that new requirements proposed in the bill could create confusion for political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission if adequate time is not given to understand and implement them. It noted that poor clarity around electoral guidelines could create legal challenges for opposition parties and disrupt INEC’s ability to plan elections properly.
ADC also pointed out that existing legal provisions already require INEC to issue election notices at least 360 days before general elections, leaving little room for further delays. The party warned that failing to act quickly could lead to disputes and credibility issues during the 2027 polls.
The party called on the National Assembly to pass the bill without further delay and urged civil society groups, political parties, and international partners to press lawmakers to act. According to the ADC, Nigeria cannot afford another election cycle plagued by uncertainty and weak legal safeguards.
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