African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the National Assembly of intentionally delaying the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Gatekeepers News reports that the party said the slow pace of action could weaken efforts to reform Nigeria’s election laws ahead of the 2027 general election.
It claims lawmakers, especially in the Senate dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), are using stalling tactics rather than moving the bill forward for presidential assent.
In a statement on Saturday by Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, the party warned the hold-up on the legislation could jeopardise key changes meant to make elections more credible.
These include mandatory electronic voter accreditation and electronic transmission of results, which civil society groups and political observers have said would reduce fraud and increase transparency in future polls.
ADC also noted that some proposed changes introduce new compliance and eligibility rules for political parties that will require time for parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fully understand and implement.
It said the deadline for INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before a general election is already close, leaving little room for proper preparation under the new framework.
The party urged the legislature to act quickly, warning that further delays could weaken confidence in the 2027 elections and create booby trapsmfor opposition parties if guidelines remain unclear.
It called on civil society organisations, international partners, and other political parties devoted to democratic governance to push the National Assembly to complete the process.
This criticism comes as civil society groups have also expressed frustration over the Senate’s failure to conclude passage of the bill despite it being passed by the House of Representatives earlier, stressing that timely approval is vital for INEC’s preparation and public awareness.
Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, has likewise accused the Senate of dragging its feet on the amendment process, while Senate leaders have stated they intend to accelerate action once the chamber resumes.
