The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the National Assembly of deliberately delaying the passage of the 2025 Electoral Bill, warning that continued inaction could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed deep concern over what it described as “continued prevarications” by the Senate and the House of Representatives, both of which are dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the ADC, the failure to transmit the bill for presidential assent raises suspicions that lawmakers are intentionally stalling amendments designed to strengthen the electoral process and make elections more difficult to manipulate.
The party also drew attention to new compliance and eligibility requirements contained in the proposed amendments, noting that political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) require adequate time to study, interpret and implement them.
The ADC warned that rushing these provisions without sufficient clarity could create “booby traps” for opposition parties and complicate INEC’s ability to issue clear and timely guidelines ahead of the next general election.
It cited the existing legal requirement for INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before a general election, stressing that delays in passing the bill have already significantly reduced the time available for proper preparation and compliance.
“The lack of clarity in the electoral framework would not only disadvantage political parties but also place unnecessary pressure on INEC,” the statement said.
The ADC called on the National Assembly to pass the Electoral Bill without further delay, warning that any postponement could erode public confidence in the electoral process and threaten the integrity of the 2027 polls.
The party also appealed to civil society organisations, international partners and other political parties to pressure lawmakers to act swiftly, insisting that Nigeria cannot afford another election cycle without robust legal safeguards.
“Nigeria cannot afford another acrimonious or dubious election,” the statement concluded.
