The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Saturday accused the Senate, dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), of deliberately delaying the passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that the hold-up could undermine safeguards and cast doubt on the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the National Assembly’s failure to urgently pass the bill for presidential assent raised concerns of a calculated attempt to frustrate key electoral reforms.
The party said continued delays appeared aimed at stalling amendments designed to make future elections more difficult to manipulate. Some of the proposed changes introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements that political parties must clearly understand and meet, the statement added.
“Failing to allow sufficient time to study and prepare for the provisions of the new law could have serious consequences for political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the ADC said.
The party warned that unclear electoral guidelines could trap opposition parties and hinder INEC’s ability to adequately prepare and issue clear regulations within the time allowed by law. It also cited existing legal timelines requiring INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before a general election, stressing that little time remains ahead of the 2027 polls.
The ADC called on the National Assembly to immediately pass the Electoral Bill, warning that further delays could threaten the integrity of the elections and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The party also appealed to civil society organisations, international partners, and other political parties to pressure lawmakers to act, saying Nigeria cannot afford another disputed election cycle.
