The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that continued delays could jeopardize essential electoral reforms and compromise the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Saturday, ADC Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi accused the APC-led Senate of deliberately delaying the bill. He cautioned against stalling or diluting critical provisions such as electronic voter accreditation and results transmission, which are vital to ensuring free and fair elections.
The call comes in the wake of the Senate’s inauguration of a seven-member ad hoc committee tasked with reviewing, harmonizing, and streamlining senators’ contributions to the proposed Electoral Act amendments. This committee, headed by Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 polls.
The committee formation followed a three-hour closed-door executive session where lawmakers deliberated on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the panel will consolidate senators’ positions and resolve outstanding issues in the amendment process.
Reacting to these developments, the ADC expressed grave concern over what it described as persistent delays by the National Assembly. The party warned that the slow progress suggests attempts to stall amendments aimed at curbing election rigging and enhancing transparency.
“The ADC notes that some proposed amendments introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements that political parties must fully understand and meet,” the statement read. “Insufficient time for parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grasp these new provisions risks serious consequences. Lack of clarity in electoral guidelines may serve as traps for opposition parties and hinder INEC’s ability to prepare and issue clear directives timely.”
The ADC further highlighted the requirement that INEC must publish election notices no later than 360 days before the general election, noting that the delay in passing the bill leaves very little time to meet this deadline effectively.
The party concluded with a strong appeal: “We call on the National Assembly to promptly pass the Electoral Bill 2025. Further delays endanger the integrity of the 2027 elections and the democratic process as a whole. Nigeria cannot afford another acrimonious or disputed election.”
The ADC also urged civil society organizations, international partners, and all political parties committed to democratic governance to pressure the legislature to act swiftly, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve an election cycle safeguarded by critical reforms.
