Our Reporter, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over what it described as continued delays by the National Assembly in passing the 2025 Electoral Bill, warning that the situation could jeopardise preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the failure to promptly transmit the bill for presidential assent had raised suspicions about the intentions of the legislature.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply concerned by the continued prevarications of the National Assembly over the 2025 Electoral Bill,” the statement said. “Failure to promptly pass the bill for presidential assent raises suspicions that the legislature, which is dominated by the APC, is deliberately delaying key amendments, especially those intended to make future elections more difficult to rig.”
The party drew attention to statutory timelines set out in the Electoral Act 2022, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is required to publish notices of election not later than 360 days before polling day.
“For the 2027 general elections, that notice should have been published by early 2026 at the latest,” the ADC said, adding that “even now, there is very little time left for adequate preparation and compliance.”
According to the statement, some of the proposed amendments in the bill introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements that political parties need sufficient time to understand and meet.
“Without the bill being passed into law soon, parties risk falling foul of provisions they have not had sufficient time to prepare for,” the ADC warned, stressing that “even now, there is very little room for manoeuvre.”
The party called on the National Assembly to act without further delay, cautioning that continued postponement could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
“The ADC therefore calls on the National Assembly to pass the bill without further delay,” the statement said. “Any postponement poses a serious risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections and to public confidence in the electoral process.”
The 2025 Electoral Bill seeks to amend aspects of the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the next general elections. Debate over the pace of its consideration has continued amid concerns from political parties and civil society groups about election preparedness and transparency.
