ADC Warns Senate Delay on Electoral Bill Threatens 2027 Elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the APC-dominated Senate of deliberately delaying the passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that the prolonged process could weaken crucial electoral safeguards and undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections. The party said the delay has raised serious concerns about the commitment of the National Assembly to meaningful electoral reform.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that the failure to urgently transmit the bill for presidential assent suggests calculated stalling aimed at frustrating amendments designed to make elections more transparent and harder to manipulate. According to the party, time is fast running out for reforms that are essential to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

ADC Raises Alarm Over Deliberate Legislative Delays

The ADC expressed deep concern over what it described as continued prevarication by the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, on the Electoral Bill 2025. The party said that despite widespread agreement on the need for reforms, lawmakers have failed to act with the urgency required by the electoral calendar.

The party warned that delays at this stage could have far-reaching consequences, noting that electoral reforms are most effective when concluded well ahead of election cycles. It argued that uncertainty surrounding the legal framework fuels suspicion and erodes trust among political stakeholders and the electorate.

ADC further alleged that the dominance of the ruling APC in the legislature has heightened fears that the delay may not be accidental, but rather a strategic attempt to weaken provisions that could limit electoral manipulation in future polls.

Concerns Over New Compliance and Eligibility Requirements

According to the ADC, several proposed amendments in the Electoral Bill introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements that political parties must fully understand and prepare for. The party stressed that without adequate time to study and adapt to these provisions, parties risk falling foul of technical rules that could disqualify them or limit participation.

The ADC also warned that the lack of clarity surrounding the final content of the law could create “booby traps” for opposition parties. It said that relying only on publicly available proposals, without a clear and final legal framework, places smaller parties at a disadvantage.

Beyond political parties, the ADC noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could also be affected. It argued that unclear or delayed legislation would make it difficult for the commission to prepare effectively and issue timely guidelines as required by law.

Electoral Timelines and Calls for Urgent Action

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the ADC pointed to existing legal timelines that remain in force, including the requirement that INEC publish notices of elections at least 360 days before a general election. The party warned that with these deadlines approaching, there is now very limited room for manoeuvre.

The ADC cautioned that any further delay in passing the Electoral Bill 2025 could directly undermine preparations for the 2027 elections and weaken the integrity of the entire process well in advance. It insisted that electoral credibility depends not only on election-day conduct but also on timely and transparent legal frameworks.

In response, the party called on the National Assembly to immediately conclude work on the bill and transmit it for presidential assent. It also appealed to civil society organisations, international partners and other political parties to mount pressure on lawmakers, arguing that Nigeria cannot afford another election cycle overshadowed by disputes and legitimacy concerns.