The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the APC-dominated Senate of deliberately slowing down the passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that the delay could weaken critical safeguards and undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The party made the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, expressing concern over what it described as the National Assembly’s failure to urgently pass the bill for presidential assent.
According to the ADC, the prolonged delay has raised suspicions of calculated stalling aimed at frustrating key electoral reforms, particularly amendments designed to make future elections more difficult to manipulate.
The party noted that some of the proposed amendments introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements for political parties, stressing that these provisions require sufficient time to be properly understood and implemented.
It warned that the failure to pass the bill early enough would have serious consequences for political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that uncertainty over electoral guidelines could create hidden obstacles for opposition parties and complicate INEC’s preparations.
The ADC also highlighted the urgency created by existing legal timelines, including the requirement for INEC to publish notices of elections not later than 360 days before a general election, noting that little room for manoeuvre now remains.
The party therefore called on the National Assembly to promptly pass the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that any further delay poses a serious threat to the integrity of the 2027 general elections and the entire electoral process.
It further appealed to civil society organisations, international partners, and other political parties to prevail on lawmakers to act without delay, insisting that Nigeria cannot afford another disputed election cycle.
“Nigeria cannot afford the cost of another acrimonious or dubious election,” the statement added.
