ADC Warns National Assembly Over Plan to Change 2027 Election Date

• The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the proposed amendment to move Nigeria’s 2027 general elections to November 2026, warning that it would disrupt governance, weaken institutions, and plunge the nation into endless political campaigns.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act by the National Assembly, which seeks to shift Nigeria’s 2027 general elections forward to November 2026, describing it as a threat to governance and development stability.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the proposal would trap Nigeria in a perpetual campaign cycle, shorten the effective period for governance, and weaken institutional focus across all levels of government.

“By cutting the current political calendar by six months, the proposal threatens to push Nigeria into a state of permanent electioneering, where politics dominates governance and development is perpetually on hold,” the statement read.

The party noted that holding elections in November 2026 would mean campaigns could start as early as 2025, leaving only two years for meaningful governance before political distractions take over.

“The President, ministers, governors, and other public officials will shift their focus from performance to positioning. Policies will stall, projects will be abandoned, and the entire system will tilt towards 2026 instead of 2027,” it added.

The ADC further argued that rather than tampering with the electoral calendar, lawmakers should focus on institutional reforms that strengthen the judiciary, electoral tribunals, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure timely resolution of disputes.

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Citing global examples, the party referenced Kenya, Indonesia, and Ghana, where constitutional timelines ensure election petitions are decided within a few weeks.

“The solution lies in enforcing strict judicial timelines and improving institutional efficiency — not shortening political tenures,” the statement said.

The ADC also criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying even without the proposed amendment, the government has shown more interest in retaining power than delivering governance.

“If the goal is to conclude petitions before inaugurations, the answer is not to rush elections but to strengthen our institutions. Moving elections backward will only worsen Nigeria’s governance crisis,” Abdullahi added.

The party urged the National Assembly to shelve the amendment and instead pursue comprehensive electoral reforms that guarantee credible polls, timely justice, and effective governance.

“Nigeria cannot afford a system that allows government to campaign for two years and govern for two,” the ADC warned.