The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the APC-dominated Senate of deliberately delaying the passage of the Electoral amendment Bill 2025, warning that the slow pace could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the continued delay in passing the bill for presidential assent raises concerns that the National Assembly is deploying tactics aimed at frustrating key electoral reforms.
The ADC noted that several proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements for political parties, which require sufficient time for understanding and implementation.
It warned that failure to pass the bill promptly could expose political parties to compliance risks and also constrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in setting clear guidelines within statutory timelines.
According to the party, provisions mandating electronic voter accreditation and electronic transmission of results are minimum safeguards required to guarantee the credibility of the 2027 elections and should not be weakened through legislative delays.
The party also pointed to the existing requirement for INEC to publish notices of election at least 360 days before a general election, noting that time is already running short.
“The lack of clarity around the final provisions of the law could serve as booby traps for opposition parties and make it difficult for INEC to prepare adequately,” the ADC said.
It called on the National Assembly to urgently pass the bill, warning that further delays pose serious risks to the integrity of the 2027 elections.
The ADC also urged civil society organisations, international partners and other political parties to pressure the legislature to act swiftly; stressing that Nigeria cannot afford another election cycle without the necessary legal safeguards in place.
